Integrate AI into the education system

THE The future of work is changing fast, and artificial intelligence (AI) is driving much of that change. As a rapidly developing country, Malaysia plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the ASEAN region. It is vital that Malaysia includes AI in its national education agenda to ensure its citizens are equipped with the skills needed to participate in the new economy.

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global AI market is expected to reach US$190 billion (RM843 billion) by 2025. This figure presents Malaysia with a tremendous opportunity to diversify away from oil and gas to spur growth. The Asean region contributes only a small percentage to the global AI market, but by incorporating AI into the national curriculum, Malaysia can leverage the region’s tremendous potential and position itself as a leader in the region.

The World Intellectual Property Organization reported that Malaysia has a growing innovation ecosystem but still lags behind neighboring countries such as Singapore and South Korea.

Recently, Malaysia has suffered from a lackluster middle position in the rankings of the international student assessment programme, which measures math and science skills in several countries. However, due to our strong teaching staff and good educational facilities, we still have great potential for improvement. By providing its citizens with the skills and knowledge of AI, Malaysia can position itself as a science and technology leader in the region.

Still, it’s also important to recognize that AI has already resulted in many employees losing their jobs. In order to stay relevant in the workforce, it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to learn the skills to create AI and not just remain a user.

By integrating AI into the national curriculum, students will be able to create AI systems and associated applications.

A lifelong learning approach is needed to ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn AI and make a career change later in life. Government can play a crucial role in helping working adults acquire AI skills by providing financial support, flexible learning options, and other forms of support. This will not only increase their employability in the AI ​​era, but also support the country’s efforts to position itself as a leader in the ASEAN region.

To effectively integrate AI into the national curriculum, a multi-faceted approach should be taken.

First, AI should be integrated into subjects such as computer science, mathematics and statistics. This gives students a solid foundation in the technical skills required for AI.

Second, interdisciplinary courses can be developed that cover the ethical and social implications of AI. This provides students with a comprehensive understanding of AI and its impact on society. Generative AI technology capable of creating text, image, sound and video must be integrated as a tool for effective teaching. This strategy is better than banning its use entirely in the classroom, and students will still end up using it while pretending their homework is their own effort.

In summary, there is an urgent need to include AI in the national education agenda. The rapid pace of technological change requires that we equip our citizens with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the new economy.

By taking action to integrate AI into the national curriculum and supporting working adults to acquire AI skills, Malaysia can unlock the huge potential of the global AI market.

We hope that the government recognizes the importance of this issue and invests in the education and employability of its citizens.

EURING Dr. Azam Che Idris (Sworn IT Expert, Sworn Engineer and Sworn Manager). Currently Visiting Researcher at the Faculty of Integrated Technologies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam and CEO of Herbalogi.ai, a startup using AI to develop natural medicines.

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