KUALA LUMPUR: The National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO), which is set to be launched next month, will undertake a comprehensive study to evaluate the necessity of updating current laws or creating new legislation related to artificial intelligence (AI) technology, as well as other emerging technologies. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo revealed that this initiative aims to tackle issues that may arise from technological advancements, including the critical concern of personal data leakage.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Gobind Singh Deo highlighted the importance of addressing these challenges during an oral question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat. He responded to a supplementary question posed by Datuk Abdul Khalib Abdullah (PN-Rompin) about the government’s strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of AI, particularly concerning personal data leakage. The establishment of the NAIO, under the supervision of MyDigital Corporation, was officially announced on September 5. The primary goa
l is to create an ecosystem that positions Malaysia as a leading AI hub in the region.
Gobind emphasized that NAIO will serve as the central body overseeing the implementation of AI technology across various sectors in Malaysia, ensuring protection against potential threats and misuse. Additionally, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has introduced the AI Governance and Ethics Guidelines (AIGE) on September 20. These guidelines aim to foster an environment conducive to the ethical and responsible design and development of AI technologies.
Furthermore, Gobind mentioned that the Personal Data Protection Commissioner is in the process of formulating seven guidelines to serve as reference documents for data controllers in Malaysia, with three specifically related to AI technology. These include the Guidelines on Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), the Guidelines on Privacy by Design (PbD), and the Guidelines on Automated Individual Decision Making (ADM) and Profiling.