- Whole-of-nation skilling expanded across educators, enterprises, and communities
Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital and Microsoft have launched Microsoft Elevate, an expanded national AI capacity building initiative to strengthen Malaysia’s AI readiness that is aligned with the country’s AI Nation 2030 ambition.
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| Source: Microsoft. From left, Rashvin Pal Singh, CEO of Kumpulan, Biji-Biji Initiative and Mereka; Datuk Fabian Bigar, Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of Digital; Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, Malaysia; Dr Jasmine Begum, GM, Legal & Government Affairs, Microsoft ASEAN; and Sam Majid, CEO of the National AI Office Malaysia, at the launch of Microsoft Elevate in Malaysia. |
The partnership broadens the scope of Malaysia’s AI skilling agenda to include educators, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), retired servicemen and women, learning institutions, and members of the civil service. Delivered in partnership with the National AI Office (NAIO), Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara alongside Biji-biji Initiative & Mereka, this initiative reflects a whole-of-nation commitment to ensuring every segment of Malaysian society is prepared for the AI era. TVET stands for technical and vocational education and training.
Microsoft Elevate aims to reach learners across Malaysia with a phased roadmap extending to 2030 that progresses from skilling and workforce activation, through sector deepening, to institutionalisation and long-term sustainability. As part of the pilot phase rolled out in January this year, Microsoft Elevate has successfully reached 80,000 learners to date.
The initiative builds on Microsoft’s longstanding support for Malaysia’s digital and AI progress, including skilling 800,000 Malaysians with AI skills through its AIForMYFuture initiative, as well as the Bersama Malaysia initiative, empowering 1.53 million Malaysians with skills in cloud, AI, and cybersecurity.
YB Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia’s Minister of Digital, said: “As Malaysia accelerates its ambition to become a regional AI hub, building digital capabilities that reach every segment of our society is essential. Achieving meaningful, whole-of-nation progress will require strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
"We welcome Microsoft Elevate, an initiative supported by NAIO and Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara, and implemented by Biji-Biji Initiative & Mereka, to strengthen AI readiness and digital inclusion, ensuring Malaysians from all walks of life are ready to participate in an AI-driven future.”
The strength of Malaysia’s future workforce will depend on AI skills that are developed early, consistently, and in ways that mirror real-world demands, Microsoft said.
Malaysia’s AI Nation 2030 vision recognises that becoming an AI-driven nation requires more than technology adoption. People who understand and use AI confidently, institutions that can adopt AI responsibly at scale, and ecosystems that translate AI capability into real-world impact are all essential. This requires a coordinated, cross-sector approach that connects the efforts of multiple ministries, agencies, and ecosystem partners to reach key segments of Malaysian society:
Educators and learning institutions: Teachers across K-12, TVET, community colleges, and universities gain practical, role-based AI skills to integrate AI into teaching, curriculum design, and student engagement – equipping them to prepare the next generation of AI-ready Malaysians.
MSMEs: Malaysia’s MSME sector, which forms the backbone of the national economy, will receive targeted AI literacy and productivity training to adopt AI tools for business operations, customer engagement, and competitiveness.
Retired servicemen and women: Veterans transitioning into civilian roles or community leadership will gain foundational AI skills, ensuring they remain active contributors to Malaysia’s economic and social development.
Institutional leaders and management: Heads of schools, TVET institutions, government agencies, and community organisations will be equipped to lead AI adoption within their institutions – setting policies, establishing norms, and driving responsible implementation from the top down.
Students and youth: Young Malaysians across K-12 and TVET institutions gain foundational and applied AI skills matched to real-world needs, building the talent pipeline for Malaysia’s AI-driven economy.
Rashvin Pal Singh, Group CEO, Biji‑Biji Initiative & Mereka, added, “For AI to truly create impact, it has to reach classrooms, educators, and communities in practical and accessible ways. Through Microsoft Elevate, we are working closely with the National AI Office and Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara to translate AI from a concept into everyday practice, in ways that are responsible, inclusive, and relevant to real, practical needs. This initiative represents an important step in ensuring that no one is left behind as Malaysia builds its AI‑ready future.”
Dr Jasmine Begum, GM, Legal & Government Affairs, Microsoft ASEAN said: “AI can only deliver real value when people across society understand how to use it meaningfully and responsibly in their everyday work and decision‑making. Technology is an enabler, while impact comes from how individuals, organisations, and institutions apply AI in ways that are practical, trusted, and relevant to real‑world needs.
“Microsoft Elevate is designed to build capabilities at scale; supporting communities, enterprises, and public sector institutions to adopt AI confidently and responsibly. Through these programmes, we aim to ensure Malaysia’s AI ambitions are realised in a way that delivers long‑term impact, enabling more people to gain the skills, access, and support they need to thrive in the AI economy.”
Microsoft Elevate is a global initiative by Microsoft aimed at empowering communities by providing AI skills, knowledge and tools to people and organisations. It is being rolled out in multiple markets across Southeast Asia and beyond, supporting governments and institutions as they prepare people for an AI-powered economy.
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For more information, and to register for Microsoft Elevate in Malaysia, visit https://microsoftelevate.biji-biji.com/
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