KUALA LUMPUR: IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd has commended the government's strategic allocations in the 2024 Budget towards advancing technology and digitalisation across various sectors.

Managing director and technology leader Catherine Lian said this demonstrates a consolidated effort to advance the nation's digital and technological framework and to do so with an acute awareness of its impact, ensuring a balanced, responsible, and sustainable evolution towards the future.

"Allocations outlined within the 2024 Budget not only strengthen the digital fabric of the nation but also fortify a foundation upon which organisations like IBM Malaysia can collaborate and innovate alongside government and other stakeholders," she said in a statement.

Catherine cited artificial intelligence (AI) as a technology that is set to improve Malaysia's national productivity, citing an IBM study that showed 75 per cent of chief executive officers (CEOs) surveyed globally, including Malaysia, believe the organisation with the most advanced generative AI will have a competitive advantage.

"As the nation becomes more competitive and prosperous, AI is set to take the country to the next level," Catherine said.

IBM Malaysia recently launched watsonx, a comprehensive platform for scaling and operationalising AI, leading to favourable business outcomes.

"Through the IBM watsonx platform, Malaysian organisations will have access to the toolset, technology, infrastructure and consulting expertise to build their own available AI models and deploy them at scale in a more trustworthy and open environment to drive business success," said Catherine.

"We aim to further enrich the digital ecosystem through innovative solutions, strategic collaborations and the nurturing of a tech-empowered society," she added.

The company also welcomes the focus on sustainability in the 2024 Budget, which establishes measures aligned with National Transmission Energy Roadmap (NETR) targets, such as funding to facilitate energy transition, enhancements to the Corporate Green Power Programme and incentives for companies that invest in measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) related to development of carbon projects.

"Technology is a fundamental driver, playing a crucial role in mapping commitment to progress and driving sustainability across industries," said Catherine.

IBM Malaysia is helping its customers turn sustainability ambition into action through data-driven innovation with industry-leading technology capabilities. 

The IBM Envizi ESG Suite, an AI-powered software, enables the streamlining of task management as part of broader ESG reporting measurements.

"Envisi empowers organisations in Malaysia to automate feedback generated between their corporate environmental initiatives and the operational endpoints being used in daily business operations - a crucial step in making sustainability efforts more scalable," said Catherine.

In the 2024 Budget, prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also announced a RM250 million allocation for expanding WiFi access at all public universities and a substantial RM100 million dedicated to students impacted by the pandemic. 

This initiative is set to be complemented by IBM Malaysia, which has pledged to train 2 million people globally in AI in the next three years, focusing on underrepresented communities.

"As a testament to the synergy of technology and education, IBM's SkillsBuild initiative dovetails neatly into this national vision. 

"This initiative aims to bridge the STEM skills gap in the country, emerging as an essential conduit through which learners from diverse demographics are empowered with industry-relevant skills and knowledge," said Catherine.

She said Malaysia is then assured of an adaptive, future-ready workforce that is well-versed in leveraging the opportunities presented by AI and other emergent technologies.

Catherine said the strategic allocations and initiatives within the 2024 Budget provide a solid framework for a collective move towards a digitally adept and globally competitive Malaysia.

"IBM Malaysia stands ready to navigate, contribute and collaborate towards actualising the digital, economic and sustainable ambitions envisioned in the 2024 Budget, ensuring a future where technology is the cornerstone of national progress and prosperity," she added.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2023/10/969403/ibm-malaysia-commends-tech-forward-initiatives-2024-budget