By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 20: Artificial intelligence (AI) should be included in the school syllabus to prepare the younger generation for the future, but only the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia has the authority to decide on the matter, says Sarawak Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
He said Malaysia must not lag behind global trends, pointing out that universities in Europe have already incorporated AI courses that not only focus on technical skills but also cover safeguards against misuse.
“The younger generation must be included in the curriculum. They must learn from the beginning. But I cannot do it. It has to be the Ministry of Education Malaysia who studies the subject,” he said when met by reporters after launching the ‘AI-Driven Talent: Shaping the Future of Sarawak Workforce Development’ programme at a hotel here today.
Sagah was replying to questions on whether AI should be introduced into the school syllabus for the younger generation and if he was recommending that the MOE take the lead on the matter.
The minister noted that Malaysia already has a broad range of subjects in its curriculum, many of which could be adapted to incorporate AI learning.
“Things like Reka Bentuk Teknologi (Design and Technology) and all that, they can reinvent it into other courses including AI,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed that AI education must come with responsibility, emphasising that it should be taught ethically and morally to avoid negative impacts on society.
“The more we know about AI, the better we can prevent abuse. At the same time, it must be taught with ethics and morals to ensure society does not face decadence,” he added.
On workforce readiness, Sagah said Sarawak, through its universities and technical institutions, is already preparing talent for new and emerging industries such as green technology, renewable energy, and digital innovation.
“We want to know what the requirements will be later on, and that’s why we are preparing for workforce development.
“We want to ensure that the human resources we produce are people who can take up the opportunities and challenges in these new industries,” he explained.
He further stressed that graduates must embrace reskilling and upskilling to stay competitive as the economy shifts.
“Those who are already graduates also need reskilling and upskilling sometimes in order to stay relevant with the current development of our economic policy,” he said.
Sagah also pointed out that industries must realign themselves to match Sarawak’s new economy, whether by becoming service providers in these sectors or by starting new industries of their own.
Also present were MEITD deputy ministers Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, as well as other dignitaries and officials. — DayakDaily
