Anwar calls on young Malaysians to master AI and new tech to drive economic growth

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysia’s youth to master emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing to drive economic growth. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

First Published: Saturday, 03 Oct 2026 8:01 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysia’s youth to master emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to drive economic growth.

He said young people must be prepared to explore new fields of knowledge to ensure the country’s technological advancement is guided by its own values, ethics and principles.

“Digital transformation requires AI. Otherwise, we will fall behind in development and in our ability to strengthen the economy.

“I said recently in Shanghai, when I was with Chinese Premier (Li Qiang), that we must master AI. Otherwise, AI will master us,” he said.

Anwar was speaking at the opening of the Youth Economic Forum 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari, political secretary to the finance minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, Perdana Fellows Alumni Association president Fanitsyara Kam Phon, and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Anwar said while digital transformation and high-technology economic development were essential, such progress should not come at the expense of ethics, morality and human values.

“Reach for the skies, but remain rooted in the ground. That means new technology, new sciences, new research ... but do not let AI erode moral, ethical and human values,” he said.

Anwar said the government would continue to improve the quality of education, strengthen proficiency in Bahasa Melayu and English, and give young Malaysians opportunities to master other languages, including Chinese, Tamil, Arabic, French and German.

He also urged young people to exercise critical thinking and not become “tools” or blindly devoted to any particular individual or political party.

Instead, he urged the younger generation to be devoted to truth, justice, the pursuit of knowledge and integrity as they work to lead the country towards greater success.

“I am confident that if this is the new spirit, we will see our country move forward at speed and, within 10 years, we will no longer recognise the Malaysia of today. Instead, we will see a new, vibrant, progressive and successful Malaysia,” he said. — Bernama