Malaysia Advances AI-Driven Smart Cities via Global Collaborations

Key Takeaways

Malaysia aims to create AI-driven smart cities through strategic collaborations unveiled at the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025.
Four major agreements were signed to enhance urban planning, sustainability, and public services using AI and 5G technologies.
The initiatives focus on upskilling civil servants, real-time governance through a national AI platform, and ensuring digital progress benefits all citizens.

Strategic Collaborations for Smart Cities

Malaysia has officially launched a series of partnerships to promote its vision of building inclusive, AI-driven smart cities, marking a key step in its digital transformation. These announcements took place during the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025, in which Digital Minister Gobind Deo Singh emphasized the significance of the collaborations.

Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and one Letter of Collaboration were finalized, involving key players such as Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and notable global technology companies. The agreements are designed to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G technologies into urban planning, sustainability efforts, and public service improvements.

DNB chief executive Datuk Azman Ismail highlighted that these collaborations are fundamental to establishing AI-powered cities and inclusive digital ecosystems. He asserted, “Together, we are not just imagining the future—we are building it.”

Emphasizing the human aspect of digital advancement, MDEC’s chief executive Anuar Fariz Fadzil stated that a people-centered approach is crucial. He mentioned, “If we hold onto this principle, we can harness AI as a force for good,” ensuring that its benefits span government, large enterprises, SMEs, youth, and communities nationwide.

The first MoU, signed with Ericsson, aims to launch a training program designed to enhance civil servants’ skills in AI, 5G, and the Internet of Things. Ericsson’s Malaysia chief David Hägerbro emphasized the pivotal role of government employees in driving Malaysia’s aspirations to become a leading AI nation.

Another significant agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) focuses on developing a national AI Cities platform. This initiative aims to integrate cloud computing and machine learning technologies to facilitate real-time governance in urban settings.

Additionally, the third MoU, which includes DNB, MDEC, and the Malaysian Smart City Alliance Association (MSCA), will concentrate on developing frameworks for AI Cities with an emphasis on mobility and digital citizen services.

MSCA chairman Ts. Dr. Raslan Ahmad remarked, “This partnership is a commitment to transforming how Malaysians live, work, and interact in their cities.”

Finally, MDEC partnered with Dell Technologies’ AI Innovation Hub to create a climate AI testbed in the UNESCO World Heritage Zone in Penang. This project will address environmental risks while preserving cultural heritage. Sumash Singh, managing director for Dell’s Malaysia and Indonesia operations, affirmed that these initiatives demonstrate Malaysia’s proactive role in leading digital transformation in ASEAN, aiming for inclusive and future-ready smart cities.

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