KUALA LUMPUR – Authorities must ensure regulations formulated to monitor and control the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology do not negatively impede advancements in the digital industry.
While acknowledging the need to establish guidelines amid AI’s meteoric rise, GSM Association’s (GSMA) Asia Pacific head Julian Gorman said such rules should not confine technological developments.
“The AI landscape is developing so fast, (with) technological advancements happening so quickly. It’s important that regulations strike a good balance (between) ensuring that (AI usage) stays within the lines and not unnecessarily constraining innovation.
“It’s also key to reflect back on existing regulations to make sure that the general public and industry players can participate (in AI-related fields),” Gorman told reporters on the sidelines of the 2024 International Regulatory Conference (IRC) recently.
The representative of the UK-based mobile network trade group gave an example of how certain countries have prohibited mobile network operators from utilising data acquired from consumers to improve their services and innovation.
“It’s important that they (mobile network operators) be permitted to use information within the mobile network to actually improve operations as well as introduce protection from scams and frauds using AI.”
Gorman was present at the IRC as a panellist for a session on shaping the future of AI, which was moderated by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chief technology and innovation officer Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid.
Also part of the panel were Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority’s AI governance assistant director Vanessa Wilfred and BlackBerry Cybersecurity’s strategic technical solutions senior director Jonathan Jackson.
Local figures on the panel were YTL Communications chief executive officer Wing K. Lee and Telekom Malaysia chief network officer Mohamed Tajul Mohamed Sultan.
Meanwhile, Gorman urged consumers to seek out more knowledge pertaining to the digital field, emphasising that a lack of awareness of AI’s benefits and harms could prove detrimental in the long run.
“The importance of digital skills among consumers allows them to digest and enjoy the benefits of AI while also protecting themselves from the risks it might present, particularly in terms of mobile technology.
“You need to understand that more than 5 billion people in the world have a smartphone and AI is now in most people’s pockets in a very meaningful sense. Generative AI in people’s pockets is changing the way we interact with each other and the world around us.
“We need to create skills that can run the industry that’s going to bring AI to people’s pockets,” he added.
Gorman also commended MCMC for its efforts in organising the IRC, labelling the event as a good expression of Malaysia’s pioneering step to ensure the nation is a leader in keeping pace with AI developments within the Asean region.
Pointing to Microsoft’s decision to invest US$2.2 billion (RM10.5 billion) over the next four years to support Malaysia’s digital transformation, particularly regarding AI infrastructure and skills, Gorman said that the investment signifies Malaysia’s ambition to be a leader in the AI field.
The IRC conference, held at the St Regis Hotel here on May 6 and 7, featured international speakers who shared insights and engaged in dialogues on regulatory frameworks and emerging technologies. – May 9, 2024