Artificial Intelligence Powers Malaysia’s Sustainable Growth

By, Muhammad Khairul Ikhwan Abd Halim

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 April 2025: As Malaysia strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, challenges such as climate change, resource management, and urbanisation persist. Artificial Intelligence (AI), often associated with automation and data analytics, emerges as a promising tool to address these sustainability issues.

Using AI to Improve Energy Efficiency

To maximise energy distribution and consumption, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has been investing in smart grid technologies. With a Smart Grid Index (SGI) score of 80.4 percent in 2024, TNB demonstrated notable progress in grid efficiency and modernisation. On a global scale, AI applications have shown significant energy savings; for example, Google’s DeepMind optimised data centres to save up to forty percent on energy consumption.

Next, smart farming is transforming the agricultural industry. The agricultural industry in Malaysia is adopting AI to increase sustainability and productivity. Precision farming and Internet of Things devices are examples of smart farming technologies that have significantly improved agricultural yields and resource management. In fact, globally, research shows that AI and precision farming can lower yearly agricultural operational expenses by around twenty-two percent.

Furthermore, AI is essential for environmental disaster prediction and management. It facilitates preventative actions to lessen their effects. AI algorithms have been used to anticipate earthquakes in Malaysia, improving the accuracy of disaster management initiatives. In addition, AI-based technologies help authorities create effective reaction plans by providing accurate, real-time data on natural catastrophes.

Moving on to urban development, Malaysia’s Smart City Framework, launched in 2018, incorporates cutting-edge technologies to raise urban living standards. Malaysia’s development was indicated by this project, which moved Kuala Lumpur up sixteen spots to seventy-third on the Institute for Management Development’s Smart City Index. Significant advantages of AI-driven garbage management systems have been shown, such as a 13.35 percent cost reduction and a 36.8 percent reduction in travel distances.

All in all, AI has the potential to revolutionise Malaysia’s sustainability efforts. By using AI in urban planning, agriculture, energy, and disaster management, Malaysia can take major steps towards a sustainable future. Therefore, for the benefit of the country and the environment, it is now essential to take decisive action and adopt AI-driven solutions.***