Prof. Ts. Dr. Rose Alinda Alias, Head of AHIBS Information and Service Systems Innovation Research Group (ISSIRG) was awarded a RM400,000 research grant from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) National Science and Research Council to formulate the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap for Malaysia (2021-2025). Professor Rose, whose expertise is in Information Systems and Digital Transformation leads a multidisciplinary team of four UTM experts in collaboration with three industry consultants to develop the National AI Roadmap. The success in securing the grant is facilitated by strong collaboration and networking which UTM has developed with agencies and industries over the years.

The four UTM experts are Prof. Dr. Ali Selamat (AI expert who is also the MJIIT Dean), Prof. Dr. Salwani Mohd Daud (AI Expert) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aini Suzana Ariffin (Strategic & Policy Development Expert) from FTIR, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marlia Puteh (Strategic Communication & Media Expert) from FSSH. The industry consultants are Dr Dzaharudin Mansor (National Technology Officer for Microsoft Malaysia) as PIKOM representative, Mr Amir Razelan (CEO of Seeloz Inc., Sillicon Valley), and Mr Matthew Mavak, an independent consultant.

The three-month project that commences on 1 December 2020 will leverage digital technologies and online platform to engage stakeholders from the quadruple-helix (government, academia, industry, and public) to give input and feedbacks via virtual workshops, online surveys and interviews, culminating in a virtual townhall to ensure stakeholder understanding and shared vision. The National AI Roadmap will be a living document that can be updated, refreshed and reviewed, in cognizance of rapid technology evolution. The document will present strategies and initiatives for AI-powered transformation that will expedite Malaysia in its goal to become a high-income nation. All the best to the team!

Prepared by:
Rose Alinda Alias and Marlia Puteh