Malaysia Leads Regional Initiative for AI-Driven Solutions to Transform Urban Living

Key Takeaways

Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 will focus on using AI and 5G to enhance urban living.
The event highlights Malaysia’s ambition to become a smart nation by 2040 and aligns with its ASEAN chairmanship goals.
Public-private partnerships are crucial for advancing digital transformation in the region.

Event Overview

Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid, chief corporate officer for Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), emphasized the potential of technology and artificial intelligence to enhance urban living. This vision underpins the upcoming Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL 2025), scheduled for September 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The expo will be centered around the theme “AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future.”

DNB, a state-owned enterprise in Malaysia, is leading efforts to expand the country’s 5G network infrastructure, while the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) oversees the digital transformation agenda under the Ministry of Digital. SCEKL 2025 marks the inaugural Southeast Asian edition of the Smart City Expo World Congress, which originated in Barcelona in 2011 and aims to tackle contemporary urban challenges.

As the Kuala Lumpur edition unfolds, it will foster discussions on how Southeast Asian nations can leverage AI and 5G technologies to enhance infrastructure, improve disaster management, and promote urban development. The event aligns with Malaysia’s broader strategy to transform into a smart nation by 2040, while also supporting its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship, which emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability.

The expo serves as a platform to strengthen regional collaboration on critical issues such as digitalization and sustainable development. Public-private partnerships are highlighted as vital to realizing Malaysia’s digital aspirations, bridging the gap between government initiatives and private sector innovation.

SCEKL 2025 aims to set the stage for impactful dialogue and actionable strategies that will elevate urban living standards across Southeast Asia. The collaborative efforts and insights gained from this event could pave the way for advancements that cater to the unique needs of urban populations within the region, fostering a future that is both smarter and more inclusive.

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