In the heart of the Swiss Alps in Davos, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting convenes world leaders; leading businesses; the best thinkers; civil societies; academia to assess the current dynamics of the world economy, frontier technologies, skills for the future, and provide foresight to what is to come in the world.
In 2016, the term “Fourth Industrial Revolution’’ was coined by Prof Klaus Schwab, Chairman and Founder of the World Economic Forum, where the physical and digital world come together in transforming our industries and society. The accelerated pace in technological shifts have exponentially changed the way we conduct government, business and society. From the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, quantum computing to name a few, that is transforming our society in real time. At the intersection of technological intelligence, environmental, societal and geopolitical intelligence, Prof Schwab observed that the world is now entering into ‘The Intelligent Age’.
Malaysia’s Partnership with the World Economic ForumMalaysia was at an inflection point when we set our ambition to transform Malaysia into a digital nation, through the launch of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and the National Fourth Industrial Revolution Policy in 2021. These two policy documents set the tone and direction for Malaysia as our government, industries and society embrace new technologies that will yield significant positive impact to our economy and society.
To futureproof Malaysia’s economy, it is imperative for Malaysia to be at the forefront of these conversations, and to create mechanisms where we can foster international partnerships; drive multistakeholder conversations and collaborations; to exchange best practices to foster sustainable development; and to position Malaysia as one of the key leaders in the digital and energy development.
Malaysia enjoys long-standing partnerships with the World Economic Forum, and has contributed to its various platforms, highlighting Malaysia’s experiences and successes at a global stage. The partnership was further deepened in 2023, when Malaysia established the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR), the first C4IR in Southeast Asia, and joined 24 other centres in the global C4IR network.
Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution has two key focus areas: digital transformation and energy transition, and the intersection of these two areas. The centre plays an important role in creating a neutral multistakeholder platform to foster partnerships; drive conversations in frontier technologies; and position Malaysia’s thought leadership through the World Economic Forum network.
Fostering Partnerships for the Intelligent Age for Malaysia in Davos
With Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution's (MYCentre4IR) ethos of “Powering in Intelligent Age in Malaysia and beyond’’, Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, as the MYCentre4IR Executive Committee Chair participated in WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, part of The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia Prime Minister’s delegation.
A hotbed for networking during winter in Davos, the Annual Meeting’s theme “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age” aligns with Malaysia’s vision to foster partnerships for Malaysia’s sustainable digital development; and to position Malaysia’s ambitions during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
Key highlights from WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2025:
- AI and Digital Transformation:
- Secured potential partnerships with OpenAI and TikTok to advance AI adoption in GovTech, SME digitalization, and NAIO, aiming to streamline government services and empower businesses.
- Emphasized the potential use of AI agents in GovTech to reduce bureaucracy and improve citizen services.
- SME Digitalization and Market Access
- Focused on leveraging platforms like TikTok Shop to expand market access for Malaysian SMEs.
- Focused on leveraging platforms like TikTok Shop to expand market access for Malaysian SMEs.
- Digital Governance and Infrastructure:
- Stressed the importance of strengthening Malaysia's digital infrastructure and building trust through robust cybersecurity and data protection legislation.
- Stressed the importance of strengthening Malaysia's digital infrastructure and building trust through robust cybersecurity and data protection legislation.
- Workforce Reskilling and Upskilling:
- Highlighted the urgent need to address the impact of AI on jobs, emphasizing government-led initiatives for workforce reskilling and upskilling in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources.
- Emphasized the government role to safeguard livelihoods from AI disruption.
- ASEAN and Regional Collaboration:
- Promoted Malaysia's leadership in ASEAN through the DEFA (Digital Economy Framework Agreement), advocating for regional collaboration and inclusive prosperity.
Focused on concluding DEFA to attract investments and improve talent mobility.
- Promoted Malaysia's leadership in ASEAN through the DEFA (Digital Economy Framework Agreement), advocating for regional collaboration and inclusive prosperity.
- MYCentre4IR:
- Worked with the WEF to strengthen and maximize the impact of the MYCentre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Journey Ahead
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos has provided a valuable platform for Malaysia to initiate and cultivate partnerships that can drive sustainable digital development, thus accelerating the nation's progress in the Intelligent Age.
As Malaysia navigates this transition, MYCentre4IR will maintain its crucial role in coordinating and galvanizing a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders, both domestically and internationally. By fostering meaningful partnerships and facilitating key conversations, MYCentre4IR will be a driving force in empowering intelligent initiatives within Malaysia and beyond. The centre's efforts will ensure that Malaysia remains at the forefront of technological advancement and continues to harness the benefits of the digital revolution for its continued growth and development.