KUALA LUMPUR – The government is considering a requirement to label content created using artificial intelligence (AI) as “AI-generated” under the forthcoming Online Safety Act 2024, which is expected to take effect by the end of this year.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the move is necessary to curb the misuse of AI technologies, particularly on social media platforms where they are increasingly used for scams, defamation and impersonation, Bernama reported.
“We may consider this requirement, for example, under the Online Safety Act, which is expected to come into effect, Insya-Allah, by the end of this year.
“We also believe platforms must be proactive in labelling AI-generated content as such,” he told reporters after attending the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia’s (IPRM) “You & AI: Meet @ Bangsar” programme today.
Also present were Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute director Roslan Ariffin, and IPRM president Jaffri Amin.
Fahmi noted that some social media platforms have already begun voluntarily tagging AI-generated content, adding that such efforts could be expanded across the region through Asean-level collaboration.
Addressing public concern over deepfakes and other deceptive AI-generated media, he acknowledged that comprehensive global regulatory frameworks have yet to be established.
However, he said discussions are ongoing at international platforms, including the United Nations (UN) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
“I recently attended the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Indeed, at both the UN and ITU levels, there is ongoing debate over who should be responsible for AI regulation.
“Certainly, at the national level, Parliament and ministries such as the Digital Ministry must lead. But we also recognise that every ministry has a role in assessing and evaluating AI use within its scope,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Fahmi emphasised that AI cannot fully replace human roles.
He also called on the younger generation, particularly Gen Alpha, to understand both the promise and the pitfalls of AI, as they are growing up in a world increasingly influenced by the technology. – July 13, 2025