ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is no longer a luxury but a critical tool for the survival and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
During his visit to the Dell Asia Pacific Customer Center 2 (APCC2) today, Chow emphasised the transformative potential of AI in boosting the relevance and competitiveness of SMEs in Penang.
Highlighting the need for collaboration, Chow stressed that multinational corporations (MNCs) must share their AI expertise with SMEs to create a thriving ecosystem that drives economic development.
“While MNCs continue to thrive, SMEs must also reap the benefits of technological advancements in this modern era.
“The business potential of AI is immense, and if leveraged effectively, it can unlock unprecedented growth across all industries,” Chow said at the ‘Gen AI Skilling for Industry 4.0 Adoption in SMEs’ workshop, hosted by Dell.
The workshop marked a significant milestone as it provided SMEs with the knowledge and tools to embrace AI adoption.
“With support from ecosystem partners, we can synergise our strengths to accelerate AI adoption, giving our SMEs a competitive edge in the Industry 4.0 era,” Chow added.
In a move to future-proof Penang’s workforce, Chow announced the upcoming launch of the Penang Global Business Services (GBS) Industry Academy’s AI Academy in April.
The academy will offer advanced AI and Generative AI courses tailored to meet the demands of the evolving digital economy.
“This initiative is part of our broader vision to equip Penang’s workforce with the skills needed to thrive in the digital era,” he said.
On the same day, Chow also officiated the launch of the e-Harvesting Campaign 2025, spearheaded by Dell Technologies Malaysia in collaboration with the Penang Green Council (PGC), Shan Poornam Metals Sdn Bhd, and the local councils of MBPP (Penang Island City Council) and MBSP (Seberang Perai City Council).
“This campaign is more than just an environmental effort; it is a call for collective action.
“We aim to reduce 100 metric tonnes of e-waste, encouraging businesses and the community to play their part,” Chow said.
Chow also urged the Federal Government to review the RM25 billion allocation for the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).
He raised concerns about whether the fund is sufficient to maintain Malaysia’s competitiveness as a global economic powerhouse.
Chow expressed gratitude to key stakeholders such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Digital Penang, and the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) for their unwavering support.
He also acknowledged Dell’s partners, including Iron Mountain, Microsoft, and Equinix, for fostering collaboration and strengthening Penang’s economic landscape.
Prominent industry leaders attended the event, including Dell Technologies Malaysia sales managing director Saravanan Krishnan, Dell Technologies asset recovery services senior director Criselda Villanueva, and Shan Poornam director Rose Kuan.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi