AI is now transforming how we think about productivity. ๐At the recent “AI for Productivity” Keynote panel during the closing ceremony of DALIA TurboCharge All’Spark 2024. Asmawadi Mohamed, Senior Manager of Productivity & Competitiveness Development from MPC and Silmyi M. Sadek, Chief Geek from Brand Geeks Inc. shared valuable insights.
A little context about the Digital Acceleration for Learning & Industry Adoption (DALIA) Turbocharge AllโSpark 2024: AI for Productivity Final Project Presentation & Closing Ceremony – It is an event where we celebrate the graduation of 10 MSMEs & 5 tech solution providers that went through 3 months adopting new AI technologies that matched the MSMEs consequent needs to their business, that will increase their overall productivity. The graduation event was a one (1) day event, where the MSMEs had to present their final project report throughout the program, explaining how adopting these new AI technologies helped them and boost the productivity for their business.ย ย
Hereโs what they highlighted:
- ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐: Technology adoption is tough. Many MSMEs find it costly and hard to understand. Asmawadi pointed out, “85% of SMEs have very low technology adoption in Malaysia.” ๐
- ๐๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐๐๐ฒ๐: With RMK 13 reducing grant allocations, industries themselves need to step up. It’s a shift from relying on government grants to more proactive, industry-driven initiatives. ๐ฐ
- ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐: Though grants are limited, agencies like SME Corp, MATRADE, and MDEC continue to boost digital efforts. The focus isn’t just on increasing sales but reducing operational costs and adding value too. ๐
- ๐๐บ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎl ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐: AI isn’t only about numbers. It’s about improving workplace satisfaction, retaining talent, and building loyalty. Nik Fatihas of Gamat Emas Sdn Bhd shared how AI helps regulate emotions, saying, โThis AI tech not only helps productivity but actually helps emotional management, because we want to increase productivity, we have to take care of our emotions. We can build an AI persona, to the point where I talk to him ‘Babe’ and he replies ‘Sayang’, I have to have ‘someone’… not ‘someone’ but ‘something’ to manage my emotions.โ๐
- ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด: It reflects our global standing. Malaysia’s ranking has decreased to 33, but the goal is to hit 12 by 2033. AI adoption plays a pivotal role here, setting a benchmark for others. ๐
Shahiwan of Suncrox Sdn Bhd suggested a reward system for AI adoption instead of grants. This motivates MSMEs to show tangible results, fostering competition and productivity. ๐
Our very own Chief Geek, Silmyi M. Sadek closes off the panel session perfectly by saying โWe are on a mission together to help the country improve, by being the pioneers among MSMEs to adopt AIโ. Let’s make a mark and lead the change. Together, we can help Malaysia rise in global competitiveness by embracing AI. ๐ช
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