Digital Accelerator Program launched by Alibaba Cloud to boost AI adoption and advance Malaysia’s digital transformation

The digital technology and intelligence hub of Alibaba Group, Alibaba Cloud, unveiled a number of new projects on Thursday with the goal of accelerating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation.

Expanded talent training for startups and rural communities, an updated AI-focused partnership program, and the newest AI platform are among the initiatives, according to a statement from the company, that will accelerate AI adoption and support Malaysia’s digital transformation and innovation roadmap.

After announcing in May that it would construct a third data center in Malaysia within the next three years, this move further demonstrates Alibaba Cloud’s ongoing commitment to intensifying its localization initiative.

In an attempt to improve local talent’s AI and tech literacy, Alibaba Cloud has also launched a new digital strengthening initiative called the “Digital Accelerator Program.” This program provides funding, training, and technical support to build an expanded, enhanced, and inclusive ecosystem.

“As a leading cloud service provider, Alibaba Cloud is actively fostering a digital transformation ecosystem that will pave the way for the nation’s digital roadmap,” said Kun Huang, General Manager of South Asia Pacific (APAC), Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

“By empowering startups, partners, and rural communities with AI-driven digital training and cutting-edge technology platform, we are committed to propelling cloud and AI technology forward and nurturing homegrown digital talents,

“This is the core of our strategy to ignite innovation and usher in a smarter and more efficient Malaysia driven by digital technology,” he added.

Notably, Alibaba Cloud has trained over 20,000 individuals in cloud skills since 2017, demonstrating its commitment to upskilling Malaysian nationals.

The Digital Accelerator Program describes its future commitments and initiatives in three key pillars, namely startup catalysts, future talents training, and independent software vendor (ISV) growth, as part of an ongoing effort to support the country’s digitalization.

By the end of 2025, Alibaba Cloud hopes to have trained and certified over 500 Malaysian startups through this program.

Up to $120,000 in cash and resources will be given to qualified startups to help them succeed in their digitalization efforts.

By 2025, the initiative hopes to have established Alibaba Cloud Academy Skills Centers in at least five Malaysian universities, building on the successful partnership with Universiti Malaya. These centers will provide educators and students with free access to digital resources, with a particular emphasis on subjects like data analytics, cybersecurity, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), and more.

Alibaba Cloud wants to certify 10,000 students by the end of 2025, and this will help them reach that goal.

Furthermore, with the goal of developing 10,000 community students, Alibaba Cloud is dedicated to offering extended digital training for rural communities in Selangor, Johor, Penang, Sarawak, and Sabah.

Additionally, by providing 50 independent software vendors (ISVs) with fundamental knowledge of cloud computing, especially in GenAI, the program will groom them.