KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 – Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, was featured in “AI Nation”, the opening episode of AI & U, the IKIMfm–CAIRO Podcast Series, recorded at the new Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIRO), UTM Kuala Lumpur building.

The AI & U podcast series will feature 13 episodes covering key topics related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Malaysia’s AI direction, future AI talent development, CAIRO’s role in advancing AI, robotics, Adab-Centric AI, agriculture, biodiversity, Responsible AI, energy, humanity in the age of AI, and industrial AI adoption.

The recording marked an important milestone as the first podcast session featuring the UTM Vice-Chancellor in this series. Through the theme “AI Nation”, Prof. Shafry shared his vision on the role of AI in shaping Malaysia’s future, particularly in strengthening education, research, innovation, talent development and responsible national transformation.

He also highlighted how AI can support the aspirations of Ekonomi MADANI by driving productivity, creating high-value opportunities, empowering local talent, and ensuring that technological progress contributes meaningfully to the well-being of the rakyat and the nation’s sustainable growth.

A key message from the session was the importance of Adab-Centric AI. Prof. Shafry emphasised that AI should not be viewed only as a technological tool, but as a powerful enabler that must be guided by adab, ethics, wisdom, responsibility and human values. This perspective places people and society at the centre of AI development, ensuring that technological progress continues to serve humanity with purpose and dignity.

The podcast was moderated by Dr. Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen Shaikh Mohd Salleh, Director of Research, Research Management Unit (RMU), Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM);  and Batrisyia Afrina Yusri Sham, Radio Programme Producer, IKIMfm. Their moderation helped shape the discussion into a balanced, thoughtful and accessible conversation for listeners from different backgrounds.

The IKIMfm–CAIRO Podcast Series is part of the wider AI & U: Smart Tech, Smarter You initiative, a strategic collaboration between IKIM and CAIRO, UTM. The programme aims to introduce AI to society in a simple, practical and meaningful way, while connecting technology with ethics, values, adab and responsibility.

Designed for the general public in Malaysia, the series seeks to make AI more understandable, relevant and accessible to everyday life. It is expected to benefit students, educators, professionals, policymakers, technology communities and members of the public who wish to better understand how AI is transforming the country and the world.

As the opening episode of the IKIMfm–CAIRO Podcast Series, “AI Nation” sets the tone for a broader public knowledge movement — one that invites Malaysians to understand AI not merely as a technology of the future, but as a responsibility to be carried with knowledge, wisdom and adab.

The AI & U podcast series is expected to be broadcast on IKIMfm in July 2026.

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