KUALA LUMPUR, 28 August 2025 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) proudly hosted the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Innovation (AI-SI) 2025, themed “Empowering Innovation for a Sustainable Future.” The conference gathered global experts, academics, and industry leaders to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can address sustainability challenges. Among its highlights was the remarkable achievement of 17-year-old Malaysian researcher, Charanarravindaa Suriess, who was celebrated as the youngest presenter and awarded Best Presenter for his groundbreaking paper on adversarial robustness in neural networks. His recognition reflected not only individual brilliance but also Malaysia’s growing strength in the global AI research landscape.

Charanarravindaa’s presentation, titled “Two-Phase Evolutionary Framework for Adversarial Robustness in Neural Networks,” introduced an innovative framework designed to improve AI systems’ ability to defend against adversarial attacks. His contribution addressed one of the most pressing challenges in AI, ensuring resilience and trustworthiness of machine learning models in real-world applications. Born in Johor Bahru, his journey into science and computing began early; by primary school, he was already troubleshooting computers and experimenting with small websites. At just 15 years old, he graduated early, motivated by a passion for deeper challenges. Participation in international hackathons, including DeepLearning Week at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, strengthened his resolve and provided the encouragement that led to his first academic paper, now internationally recognised at IEEE AI-SI 2025.

Beyond academia, Charanarravindaa has also demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by founding Cortexa, a startup dedicated to advancing AI robustness, architectures, and applied AI for scientific discovery. His long-term vision is to integrate artificial intelligence with quantum computing and theoretical physics to expand the boundaries of knowledge. This ambition is a testament to the potential of Malaysia’s youth in contributing to frontier technologies. His recognition at IEEE AI-SI 2025 reflects IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for humanity, where innovation is seen as a universal endeavour not limited by age. By honouring a young researcher, IEEE underscored its commitment to empowering future generations of scientists and innovators to shape technology for global good.

During the conference, the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI), UTM, represented by Associate Professor Dr. Noor Azurati Ahmad, extended an invitation to Charanarravindaa to explore possible research collaborations. This initiative aligns with FAI’s vision to be a leader in AI education, research, and innovation, with a particular focus on trustworthy, robust, and sustainable AI. Early discussions centred on aligning his research interests with UTM’s expertise in advanced architectures and digital sustainability. Such collaboration exemplifies how institutions and young talent can come together to accelerate innovation, while also strengthening Malaysia’s position as an emerging hub for AI research and talent cultivation.

At the national level, this achievement resonates strongly with the Malaysia National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap (2021–2025), which identifies talent development as a central pillar in building an AI-ready nation. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly highlighted the urgency of nurturing local talent to enhance competitiveness and leadership in the global digital economy. Charanarravindaa’s success demonstrates tangible progress in this direction, showcasing how Malaysia can produce young innovators capable of contributing to both national aspirations and international scientific advancement. Through platforms such as IEEE AI-SI 2025, UTM reaffirms its role as a catalyst for excellence in AI research and talent development, embodying its mission to prepare the next generation of scholars and innovators who will drive sustainable futures.