Over MYR 10 million ($2.37 million) is invested annually in people development programs by OCBC Malaysia, a division of the Singapore-based OCBC Group, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), reskilling, and upskilling.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the bank stated that the investment is intended to give its more than 5,000 employees the tools they need to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities brought about by the swift changes occurring throughout the world.
“AI is rapidly transforming the world, and OCBC Malaysia is committed to ensuring our people are well-equipped to harness this technology effectively to innovate and work efficiently,
“Today, we offer close to 480 AI programs, spanning from foundational AI concepts to advanced topics such as Generative AI and Agentic AI,” OCBC Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer Tan Chor Sen said.
He claims that approximately 3,890 employees have taken part, and that nearly 12,500 course completions have been documented thus far.
“To support the nation’s development of local talent in AI, we are pleased to announce that starting next year, the bank will dedicate two scholarships under our OCBC Scholarship Program for students pursuing AI-related disciplines,” he added.
Beyond AI, he said, the bank will soon launch more forward-thinking initiatives, such as growth and skills coaching, which will help employees connect with professionals and skill coaches for career and skill development.
Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources, Steven Sim, noted that although AI, digitization, and green technology may threaten to replace some traditional jobs, this shift will also create a large number of new, highly skilled jobs that better meet the needs of the labour market.
Beyond its technical advancement, he emphasized the need for a clear framework to address the ethical and legal aspects of AI and emphasized how AI should be used to facilitate more intelligent, data-driven decision-making across industries.
Additionally, he praised OCBC Malaysia for leading these efforts, which are in line with the government’s workforce transformation agenda and promote a digital future powered by artificial intelligence.
