AWS targets Malaysian civil servants and SMEs with new AI programme
Eligible SMEs will receive free access to two AI tools for six months, while a government developer initiative aims to reach 4,000 participants by 2028.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced Semarak AI Malaysia to expand artificial intelligence use across government and business, with targets covering 10,000 SMEs and up to 445,000 government officers. The programme also aims to give students and communities the skills to create AI solutions.
For its business component, AI Ekonomi, AWS is working with technology distributor VSTECS and GD XCHANGE, GDEX's solutions arm. They aim to enrol 10,000 eligible SMEs by 2028. Businesses that undergo an AI readiness assessment will get Amazon Quick and Kiro free for six months to help automate routine tasks.
The public-sector component, AI Negara, includes access to the Amazon Quick assistant for government officers. Intended uses include examining procurement information, bringing together policy research and detecting patterns across large datasets.
GovTech Malaysia and the National Digital Department are also introducing GovHub through the department's AI-as-a-Service platform, with AWS's Kiro powering it. An initial 500 developers will take part in 2026, with participation targeted to reach 4,000 by 2028.
Speaking in Kuala Lumpur after officiating AWS Cloud and AI Day 2026, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the initiative would turn cloud and AI infrastructure investment into economic benefits. He cited productivity and efficiency improvements and fewer operational errors.
The community component, AI Rakyat, included the POLYCC Agentic AI League 2026. Participation exceeded 3,000 students and lecturers drawn from polytechnics and community colleges nationwide, earning a Malaysia Book of Records milestone for the largest turnout in an agentic AI competition.
