One of the biggest roadblocks slowing down the global AI boom isn’t the lack of data or computing power—it’s simply the shortage of trained people who know how to make the technology work in real-world business settings. Spotting this gap, Huawei Cloud has decided to take bold action in Malaysia with an ambitious plan that could reshape the region’s AI landscape.
At the Huawei Cloud AI Ecosystem Summit APAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, the company unveiled its Malaysia AI Talent Programme, a three-year initiative to train 30,000 AI professionals while also nurturing 200 local AI partners. The vision? To build a future-proof, inclusive AI ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific region.
Simon Sun, CEO of Huawei Malaysia, explained that the talent drive will include students, government officials, industry leaders, associations, and think tanks. But it doesn’t stop at individual training. Huawei also plans to fuel business collaborations, transfer knowledge, and co-develop AI and cloud solutions with top companies—essentially creating a pipeline of both skilled people and innovative businesses.
The timing couldn’t be more relevant. Malaysia is currently rolling out its AI Technology Action Plan 2026–2030, with the National AI Office working on ethical and sustainable adoption frameworks. According to Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital Malaysia, the strategy ties directly into the country’s Digital Economy Blueprint, blending public and private partnerships to build a strong digital economy.
Beyond training, Huawei is doubling down on technology deployment. With over 26 years of investment in ASEAN, Huawei Cloud now runs five regions and 17 availability zones in the area. The company is also pushing its Pangu foundation models and ModelArts toolchain, enabling businesses to develop customised AI solutions across industries like healthcare, mining, transport, and smart cities.
In short, Huawei isn’t just handing Malaysia the tools—it’s building an ecosystem where talent, technology, and investment meet. If successful, Malaysia could position itself as a true “AI hub” for the region, setting an example of how collaboration between government, academia, and tech giants can fuel a digital-first economy.
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