PETALING JAYA: The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry. one of the main contributors to the gross domestic product (GDP), and this is expected to be further driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI).

In the Malaysian manufacturing sector, 38% of the contribution came from the E&E sector, the bulk or 23% of which from semiconductors.

So when Malaysia’s first AI park project kicks off, there will be a tremendous growth in the semiconductor industry with its deployment and usage for AI technology.

“Semiconductor is basically the brain of AI technology.

“The AI park is a very important project that can bring Malaysia to the next level and it will certainly be a national agenda for the government to create a high-tech industry and create high value jobs for the country, ” James Tee told StarBiz.

Tee was recently appointed as an executive director of G3 Global Bhd, an associate company of Green Packet Bhd.

Among G3’s strategic initiatives would be the realisation of an AI park to position Malaysia as the AI and digital hub for Asean.

Tee was certain that AI would be in the mainstream in the years to come and when that happens, coupled with the convergence of technology including blockchain, big data and other technology, it will boost the semiconductor industry growth and ultimately, drive growth in the E&E sector.

“Malaysia is in a very strong position because we are traditionally very strong in semiconductor and manufacturing so we want to ride on the existing strength of Malaysia to continue to lead South-East Asia in terms of AI technology and its deployment.

“We believe this is a very important step for Malaysia to step out and step up for us to take a leap through our AI park and AI city development, ” Tee said.

With the constant adaptation and adoption of the most advanced technology in the city development, Tee said much focus would be placed on research and development, commercialisation and innovation of new technology that can help to serve the people better, increase productivity and the growth of the country.

He added that they were quite clear that E&E manufacturing would be a very important part of the Malaysian growth moving forward because sectors on the supply side would not be able to support the country’s growth in the years to come.

“This is where AI comes in, because it is plugged into the supply chain of the E&E sector.

“And it is not just the semiconductor that will benefit.

“Those in integrated circuit design, those who do test, measurement and packaging are all going to fit into that growth.

“The growth in AI will support E&E manufacturing and that gives our economy a very strong boost, especially when our services and mining sectors are coming under tremendous pressure, ” he said.

Besides, he added, the mainstay of Malaysia from the supply side has always been manufacturing of goods, which has been keeping the country’s current account in surplus.

Read more at : https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2020/10/14/ai-to-drive-growth-of-ee-industry