Malaysia calls for Global South to have greater say in AI decisions

Malaysia has called for greater involvement of Global South countries in global discussions on artificial intelligence (AI).

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said AI was transforming economies, societies and the way governments made decisions, while a small number of private actors now controlled how billions of people communicated, worked, transacted and consumed information.

He reminded that technology “must serve humanity, never the reverse”, warning that a small number of companies or countries should not be allowed to decide the rules for everyone else.

“The Global South cannot simply become a destination for data centres while decisions about AI are made elsewhere,” he said when delivering Malaysia’s national statement at the general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly here today.

“We must be partners in innovation. Not merely customers and markets. And not merely destinations for investment.”

Mohamad added that equitable decision-making and development also meant managing the enormous demands created by technological infrastructure, including its use of water, energy, land and other resources.

He said this was necessary to ensure the benefits of AI could be shared more broadly across borders.

The call comes as the UN steps up efforts to develop a global approach to AI governance, with the first session of its Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in Geneva in July.

The initiative is intended to provide an inclusive platform for countries to discuss the opportunities and risks posed by AI.

The issue is also particularly relevant to Malaysia, which has positioned itself as a regional hub for data centres and AI infrastructure.

Separately, Mohamad urged parties involved in the escalating conflict in West Asia to step back, warning that disruption to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, both critical routes for global energy and trade, would have consequences beyond the region.

“A family in Southeast Asia has no part in these disputes. Yet that family still pays the price when food, fuel, and cost of living rise.”

He said middle powers such as Malaysia, along with regional organisations such as Asean, could help keep dialogue alive when major powers could not agree.

“We must have the confidence to speak for our regions, not be spoken for,” he said.

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