Malaysian companies plan to spend RM45 billion on artificial intelligence by 2030
Malaysian companies plan to spend RM45 billion on artificial intelligence by 2030 to boost productivity and cut costs, according to Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation chief executive officer Ts. Mahadzir Aziz.
Source: ARB Berhad · July 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 30 JULY 2026 —
Malaysian companies plan to spend RM45 billion on artificial intelligence by 2030 to boost productivity and cut costs, according to Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation chief executive officer Ts. Mahadzir Aziz.
Market Impact
The investment marks a sharp rise from RM1.2 billion spent on AI in 2023, he told a press briefing in Kuala Lumpur. The leap follows a survey of 500 organisations that found 82% now deploy at least one AI system, up from 45% two years ago.
Manufacturers use computer vision to detect production-line defects while banks apply machine learning to approve SME loans in minutes. “We are moving from pilots to scale,” Mahadzir said. Retailers meanwhile automate warehouse sorting to cut same-day delivery times by up to 30%.
Adoption barriers remain. Only 30% of SMEs have in-house talent to run AI projects, and legacy IT systems slow roll-outs. Bank Negara Malaysia last month called for stronger cybersecurity rules after a 40% jump in AI-related fraud cases in the first half of 2024.
The government will unveil a national AI skills roadmap next month to train 20,000 specialists by 2026, Mahadzir said.
AI could lift Malaysia’s GDP by 12% by 2030 if adoption accelerates, according to forecasts. Analysts warn slower uptake will widen the productivity gap with regional peers such as Singapore and Thailand, which have committed larger public funds.
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