About the Research.

In this paper, we used a range of different methods to quantify the economic and social potential of AI for Malaysia:

  • We created a new set of economic models, exploring the potential of AI for labour productivity and business efficiency across the economy.
  • We ran new representative polling of 1,083 online adults in Malaysia. Fieldwork for this study took place between 13th March – 27th March 2025. Results quoted here are weighted by age group, gender, state, and education level to nationally representative proportions. While we undertook our best efforts to make the sample as representative as possible with extensive attention checks and neutral question design, all polling is subject to the potential for response bias and our sample does not include non-online adults.

You can access our detailed methodology here.

You can access the appendix of additional datapoints not included in this report here.

This report has been prepared by Public First for Google. All information in this report is derived or estimated by Public First analysis using both non-Google proprietary and publicly available information. Google has not supplied any additional data, nor does it endorse any estimates made in the report. Where information has been obtained from third-party sources and proprietary research, this is clearly referenced in the endnotes. With the exception of desktop researched claims which have been footnoted, all claims in the report have been derived based on Public First modelling or polling. All estimates given here are Public First’s best estimate at the time of publication. All calculations were done in USD, and have been converted to local currency based on average exchange rates in the last year. This report has been prepared solely for information purposes over a limited period of time to provide a perspective on the market. It is not intended for investment purposes. Projected market and financial information, analyses, and conclusions contained in this report should not be construed as definitive forecasts or guarantees of future performance or results. Google, Public First and their respective affiliates, or any other third party involved make no representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in the report and shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of this report. Public First is a global strategic consultancy that works with organisations around the world to better understand public opinion, analyse economic trends and craft new policy proposals. For more information, please visit our website.

Endnotes.

  1. Malaysia’s Labour Productivity Posts Modest Growth In Q1 Amid Sectoral Divergence, 22 May 2025.
  2. Ibid.
  3. ‘Shortage of skilled workers a top concern for Malaysian CEOs’, The Edge Malaysia, 1 July 2025.
  4. Augmented occupations are those who are likely to see their productivity at work significantly boosted by AI, but unlikely to see an overall fall in labour demand. And displaced occupations are those where AI could take on a significant proportion of tasks, and some workers within them are likely to require support with career transition.
  5. ‘Supercharging 6,200 Gamuda employees with AI capabilities’, Google Malaysia, 2024.
  6. ‘From AI to emissions: Aligning ASEAN’s digital growth with energy transition goals,’ Ember, May 2025.
  7. Google Breaks Ground on US$2 Billion Malaysia Data Center and Cloud Region, Announces Support for New Sustainability and Skilling Initiatives’, Blog Rasmi Google Malaysia, 1 October 2024.
  8. ‘Google breaks ground on US$2 billion Malaysia data center and cloud region, announces support for new sustainability and skilling initiatives’, Google Cloud Press Corner, 2024.
  9. ‘Agricultural chemical input risk management practices in the paddy crop subsector: Evidence from Sungai Panjang, Sabak Bernam district’, Asian Development Policy Review, 2024.
  10. ‘Assessment of Insect Abundance and Diversity in Paddy Fields Cultivated with Beneficial Plant, Turnera trioniflora’, Journal of Agrobiotechnology, February, 2025.
  11. ‘Opinion Piece: Much Ado about Malaysia’s Water Woes’, WWF, April, 2023.
  12. ‘The Smart Agriculture Revolution Transforming Controlled Environment Farming in Malaysia’, Asian-Pacific Journal of Food and Fibre Sciences (FFTC‑AP), 18 November 2024.
  13. ‘Freedom on the Net: Malaysia’, Freedom House, October, 2024.
  14. ‘Bridging the AI Gap: Online seller perceptions and adoption trends in Southeast Asia,’ Lazada and Kantar, April 2025.
  15. Fauzi Nor et al., ‘Understanding AI Implementation in Digital Advertising Among Retail SMEs in Malaysia’, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 4 January 2025.
  16. Suddin Lada et al., ‘Determining factors related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption among Malaysia’s small and medium-sized businesses’, Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market and Complexity, 29 September 2023.
  17. Malaysiakini, ‘Jokowi visits Kuala Lumpur to strengthen bilateral ties’, Malaysiakini, 1 July 2025.
  18. BytePlus, ‘Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Retail Industry in Malaysia’, BytePlus, 25 April 2025.
  19. Sharmila Ramachandran, ‘Exploring the challenges of AI-driven business intelligence systems in the Malaysian insurance industry,’ F1000 Research, 2025.
  20. AI-Powered Finance: The Key to Inclusion and Innovation, Joe Liew Jiaxhen, March 2025.
  21. Alita Sharon, ‘Malaysia: Leveraging AI to Enhance Healthcare’, OpenGov Asia, February, 2025.
  22. Alita Sharon, ‘Malaysia Strengthens Position as Regional Data Hub’, Open Gov Asia, July 2025.
  23. Global survey: How leaders are generating value from generative AI, Google Cloud, October 2024.