Malaysia is set to take centre stage in ASEAN’s digital transformation as it hosts the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 (AAIMS25) from 12–13 August 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.
Organised by the Ministry of Digital, this landmark event will unite global AI visionaries, ASEAN leaders and industry pioneers to shape a future-ready AI ecosystem. The Summit will be a key platform for high-level discourse, knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration, driving responsible AI development, regional innovation, and inclusive, ethical, and sustainable digital transformation.
Why It Matters
AAIMS25 arrives at a defining moment as ASEAN nations strive to harness AI for economic growth, digital sovereignty, and social impact. As one of the region’s leading digital economies, Malaysia is positioning itself as a responsible AI leader, with strategies anchored in trust, inclusion, and innovation. Building on the outcomes of previous national AI dialogues, the summit will spotlight critical priorities — empowering the rakyat, unlocking business innovation, elevating youth, strengthening the regional AI ecosystem, and driving policy readiness.
YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, has emphasised the principles guiding Malaysia’s AI strategy: “Data and trust must serve as the foundation of our AI ecosystem. We are shaping inclusive strategies that empower citizens, drive business innovation, and prepare our youth to lead in the AI economy. Through regional collaboration, agile policies and ethical governance, we aim to position Malaysia as a responsible AI leader in ASEAN and beyond. AAIMS25 is not just about adopting AI; it’s about ensuring AI works for everyone - building confidence, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for all layers of society.”
AAIMS25 also aligns closely with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s vision of a human-centric, inclusive Malaysia. It underscores the nation’s unwavering commitment to advancing the National AI Action Plan 2030, with a focus on empowering communities, driving business competitiveness, and fortifying ASEAN’s position as a global AI leader.
Who’s Leading the Conversation?
The summit’s agenda will be steered by an exceptional lineup of AI thought leaders, who will share insights on the transformative power of AI and its role in shaping industries, economies and societies. Key speakers include global AI leaders such as Mark Souza (Microsoft), David Shrier (Imperial College London) and Richard Stirling (Oxford Insights).
Crucially, significant regional and local innovation will also be spotlighted with speakers like Khailee Ng (500 Global), Sanjay Sharma (Asia School of Business), Dr. Hariyati Shahrima (Institut Jantung Negara) and Dr. Jun-E Tan (Khazanah Research Institute). Their contributions will highlight industry collaboration and innovation, underlining ASEAN’s growing role as a hub for AI entrepreneurship and digital solutions.
From a public policy perspective, AAIMS25 will feature high-level dialogues led by YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital; H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary General; and Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, among others. Their participation reflects the strategic importance of policy readiness and governance frameworks in shaping AI’s role in the regional development agenda.
What’s on the Agenda?
The two-day summit is designed to deliver a mix of visionary discussions and actionable outcomes that will set the tone for ASEAN’s AI future:
Day One will spotlight ASEAN’s AI strategy, with a strong focus on Malaysia’s leadership in driving digital ecosystems, AI policy and real-world applications spanning sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education and smart cities.
Day Two will look outward, emphasising international partnerships and the scaling of inclusive and sustainable AI solutions across the ASEAN region. Key themes will include AI ethics, governance frameworks, youth empowerment and talent development.
Side Events and Youth Engagement
AAIMS25 will extend beyond the main summit, transforming Kuala Lumpur into a dynamic hub of AI innovation during KL AI Takeover Week (8-14 August 2025). This citywide initiative will feature a diverse range of AI-focused events and activities, hosted by global tech leaders, local startups and academic institutions. Key highlights include the AI Builder Hub, AI Code Fest, and AI Ecosystem Events.
AI Code Fest (9–10 August) will bring together developers and innovators to collaborate on creating AI-driven solutions for real-world challenges, with a dedicated Youth Category designed to encourage participation from students and emerging talents.
Complementing this is the Youth Caucus (13 August), a dynamic forum where emerging leaders from ASEAN will exchange perspectives on AI ethics, inclusion and sustainability, contributing to the regional policy discourse.
Through these initiatives, AAIMS25 aims to foster innovation, empower future talent, and create meaningful avenues for youth and the wider community to shape the evolving AI landscape.
Key Sponsors Driving Innovation
The success of AAIMS25 is made possible by the support of leading technology partners and corporate sponsors. YTL Corporation, Huawei, Inspur, AMD, Alibaba, Grab and ByteDance are among the key sponsors, each contributing expertise and resources to drive innovation and foster meaningful collaborations. Their involvement underscores the role of industry partnerships in shaping AI ecosystems that balance economic growth with ethical responsibility.
Join the Movement
AAIMS25 is more than an event, it’s a call to action for policymakers, innovators, educators and citizens to shape the future of AI together. As Malaysia opens its doors to the world, this summit will serve as a platform for ASEAN to define its voice in the global AI conversation.
For the full agenda, list of speakers and registration details, visit : https://aimalaysiasummit.gov.my/
This content is provided by MyDIGITAL Corporation.
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