By Yussof J. Imbang
KOTA KINABALU: Local higher education institutions have no choice but to embrace new innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), while also calling on the country to enact laws for digital access security.
Kuamut assemblyman, Datuk Masiung Banah, raised concerns about the country’s struggle to address the shortage of over 10,000 local AI expert engineers.
He said that although some local universities have established AI faculties, institutions like the Sabah Foundation Technology College (KTYS) should integrate AI courses into their training curriculum to ensure that more Sabah-born children master this new technology.
In addition to KTYS, training centers such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can also establish AI as a new module in their academic offerings.
Further commenting, Masiung emphasized that trainees should not only focus on technical aspects but also be developed with a strong sense of identity, character, and moral values.
“The talent and innovation among Sabah’s youth need to be highlighted to master advanced AI technology to meet the demands of the state’s development.
“High-level AI expertise must be utilized in line with the times, but humanitarian moral values cannot be overlooked without legislation,” he asserted.
Masiung noted that AI now has a significant impact worldwide, coinciding with the industrial revolution in the governance of a country’s development.
The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) is urged to develop AI-based technology across universities and public higher education institutions.
He wants young people, especially in Sabah, to engage in the field of AI to address the shortage of experts and engineers in smart technology.
