By Joc Cing Tay Ph.D., Vice President of Engineering at Gogolook

Asia’s digital transformation is no longer a distant goal—it is unfolding now. Businesses that effectively leverage AI will lead this shift. Rather than focusing solely on hiring specialised AI talent, companies can achieve greater impact by empowering their existing workforce with AI literacy and tools.

A recent IDC report highlight this transformation: by 2025, AI will augment 50% of the Asia-Pacific workforce, while 55% of organizations already integrate AI into at least one function. These figures are not just projections; they represent an urgent call for businesses to act. AI is not replacing employees—it is amplifying their capabilities, driving efficiency, and unlocking innovation.

Malaysia’s AI Revolution: More Than Just a Vision

Malaysia is actively advancing in the digital revolution, as seen in its efforts through MyDIGITAL and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. The country aims to become a regional leader in digital transformation, with the digital economy expected to contribute 25.5% of GDP by 2025. This is a sharp increase from the initial 22.6% target, reflecting strong growth and momentum.

Beyond setting goals, Malaysia is taking concrete steps to drive AI adoption:

The launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) in 2024 ensures AI initiatives are structured, scalable, and aligned with national priorities.
Global technology firms, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), are investing in Malaysia’s AI infrastructure, reinforcing its status as a regional innovation hub.

AI is transforming cybersecurity and fraud prevention. Whoscall, developed by Gogolook and a strategic partner of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), leverages AI to detect and predict scam calls. Using AI-driven risk assessment, it enhances digital safety for businesses and individuals, helping reduce fraud-related losses across the region.

Malaysia’s success in AI adoption depends on one critical factor: workforce empowerment. Companies that invest in AI upskilling will not only strengthen their competitive edge but also contribute to the nation’s broader digital transformation.

AI Literacy: A Core Skill for Every Employee

AI is no longer confined to technical teams. With advancements in large-language models (LLMs), no-code platforms, and automation tools, non-technical employees can now integrate AI into their workflows, limiting its full potential.

Authors like Nick Bostrom have predicted that artificial superintelligence could emerge within the next decade. Regardless of whether this sparks excitement or concern, one thing is clear—the AI revolution is here, and businesses must act now. Those that invest in AI literacy today will gain a decisive competitive edge.

To bridge this gap, companies must implement structured AI training across all departments. At our company, a 12-week AI program transformed how teams operate:

Engineers mastered AI-driven programming tools like Python and PyTorch.
Non-engineers leveraged AI-powered automation platforms like ChatGPT and Zapier.
UI/UX teams streamlined feedback analysis with AI-driven semantic tools.
Marketing teams enhanced content creation and SEO through AI-assisted keyword research.

By embedding AI knowledge across all functions, businesses can drive innovation, optimize workflows, and future-proof their workforce in an increasingly AI-powered world.

Driving Innovation Through Cross-Team AI Collaboration

AI literacy alone is not enough. The most significant breakthroughs happen when AI knowledge is shared across departments. Organizations that break down silos and encourage AI collaboration will gain a clear competitive advantage.

To foster this mindset, we launched internal AI hackathons and cross-team competitions. Employees from marketing, design, data analysis, and engineering worked together to develop AI-driven solutions.

The difference was clear:

Before training: Limited AI integration, isolated technical expertise.
After training: Non-engineers actively used AI tools to build functional solutions.

One example stood out. A non-engineering team developed an AI-powered Telegram bot that suggests outfit recommendations based on user preferences. This project, created without deep coding knowledge, demonstrated that AI innovation is not confined to engineers.

This success highlights the importance of providing employees with access to AI tools and training, ensuring that AI knowledge is shared across departments rather than confined to technical teams. Establishing a culture of experimentation and problem-solving is crucial for long-term AI success, as businesses that foster AI-driven collaboration will experience measurable improvements in efficiency, decision-making, and product innovation.

A Present Imperative for Businesses

AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a necessity. Companies that fail to integrate AI into their workflows risk losing relevance in an increasingly automated and data-driven world. AI streamlines operations, enhances decision-making, and unlocks new opportunities for growth.

However, adoption remains uneven. Many businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and non-technical industries, struggle with implementation due to limited expertise, budget constraints, and uncertainty about AI’s role in their operations.

To bridge this gap, businesses must move beyond passive awareness and take actionable steps:

Upskilling employees through structured AI training programs.
Implementing AI-driven tools that enhance productivity across departments.
Fostering cross-functional collaboration to encourage AI-driven problem-solving and innovation.

AI adoption is not about replacing jobs—it is about empowering employees to work smarter and drive greater business value. The time to act is now. Companies that invest in AI integration and workforce development today will shape the future of their industries, setting the foundation for long-term success.

About the writer:

Joc Cing Tay is a seasoned AI expert with a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence from Nanyang Technological University and an MBA from the National University of Singapore. With 24 years of experience in senior engineering roles at leading software companies like Appier and Tremor Video, he now leads the engineering team at Gogolook. Joc specializes in AI research, development, and engineering team growth, driving innovation and breakthroughs in AI applications under his leadership.

This content is provided by Whoscall.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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