KUALA LUMPUR — The AI for the People programme, which targets 100,000 youths, is an important step towards preparing Malaysia’s workforce for rapid changes in the employment landscape, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The programme for youths aged between 18 and 30, will ensure they possess skills relevant to the needs of the current job market and were not left behind in global technological developments, he said.
“The world of employment is rapidly changing. AI, automation and digitalisation are no longer matters for the future, but have become part of today’s job market.
“As such, providing 100,000 youths with access to AI technology is an important investment to equip Malaysian talent with relevant skills and ensure they are not left behind in the changing global job landscape,” Ramanan said in a statement today.
The also complemented the Human Resources Ministry’s (Kesuma) efforts to strengthen workforce skills through programmes such as the MyMahir AI Roadshow, which provides free AI training to more than 22,000 Malaysians with an allocation of nearly RM110 million through Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp).
“They are all part of Malaysia’s economic strength and they cannot be left out of the government’s attention and policies.
“This approach aligns with Kesuma’s efforts to develop a more inclusive labour market, enhance workforce skills and ensure that economic and technological changes create more opportunities for the people,” he said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced six immediate initiatives for the people, encompassing fuel subsidies, school maintenance, AI, medical digitalisation, e-Invoicing and micro business financing, which will take effect on Sept 1.
For the AI Programme for the People, Anwar said youths who complete the prescribed modules would receive free three-month subscriptions to AI applications, including IlmuChat, Gemini Enterprise, Wonderclip and MuleRun.
Anwar said the government also agreed to restore the basic quota of BUDI Madani RON95 (BUDI95) programme from 200 litres to 300 litres per month, while more than half a million eligible owners of diesel-powered pickup trucks and jeeps would also receive up to 400 litres of BUDI Diesel per month.
Ramanan said all the initiatives reflected the government’s comprehensive approach to ensuring that the benefits of economic growth were felt by various segments of society, particularly workers.
He added that these included low- and middle-income workers, gig workers, the self-employed, small traders and hawkers, women who generate income from home, as well as youths.
“As the Human Resources Minister, the most important thing for me is how the country’s economic strength can be felt by workers in their daily lives, whether through reduced cost-of-living pressures, skills enhancement, income-generating opportunities or support for the self-employed,” he said.
He said inclusive development rooted in the spirit of independence means that the country’s progress leaves no one behind and that the fruits of economic growth can be returned to the people.
“I am confident that under the leadership of the Prime Minister and with the cooperation of the entire government machinery, we can build a more productive, highly-skilled and prosperous Malaysia, with every worker given the opportunity to benefit from the country’s progress,” he added. – August 31, 2026