New funding, partnerships, and education programs to help people and businesses harness AI for inclusive growth and innovation
At the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), held alongside the 47th ASEAN Summit, Google announced new initiatives to support the development of artificial intelligence (AI) across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. These initiatives aim to equip individuals and businesses with AI skills while advancing research and sustainability for regional growth.
According to the “AI Opportunity in Southeast Asia” report, over 70% of people in the region now use generative AI tools weekly — a surge that could boost Southeast Asia’s economy by US$270 billion.
Accelerating Scientific Discovery with AI
AI is increasingly driving scientific breakthroughs across ASEAN. AlphaFold, an AI system by Google DeepMind, has empowered over 85,000 researchers in the region to model complex 3D protein structures with unprecedented precision.
In Malaysia, researchers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) are using AlphaFold to study Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacterium responsible for melioidosis, a severe infectious disease.
“With AlphaFold, we can finally visualize protein structures and explore ways to weaken the bacterium’s defences — a major step toward effective treatments,” said Dr Lam Su Datt, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at UKM.
Elsewhere in the region, scientists in Singapore are leveraging AlphaFold to detect early indicators of Parkinson’s disease, paving the way for more personalized healthcare solutions.
Advancing Sustainability and Climate Resilience
Beyond science, Google is also expanding its sustainability efforts. Google DeepMind’s AnthroKrishi team is extending its Agricultural APIs to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, providing real-time insights such as crop type, sowing dates, and proximity to water sources — crucial for sustainable farming amid changing climate conditions.
In addition, Google.org is supporting nonprofit TransitionZero with US$1.5 million to develop an AI-driven tool for clean energy planning. Beginning with collaborations in Malaysia and Singapore, the tool will help governments and organizations make cost-effective and data-informed energy investment decisions.
Building AI Skills and Digital Wellbeing
Google is also investing in AI education and digital safety. Through Google.org’s partnership with the ASEAN Foundation, the AI Ready ASEAN initiative has already trained over 800,000 youth, educators, and parents in AI literacy since its launch in 2024. The new AI Class ASEAN platform, introduced in August, has attracted more than 14,000 active users in just two months.
To promote digital wellbeing, Google.org has committed US$5 million to empower nonprofit partners in developing educational resources that encourage healthy technology use among teens, parents, and teachers.
In Malaysia, Gemini Academy has trained nearly 31,000 educators since late 2023. A Google survey revealed that 75% of participants became more productive after adopting AI tools in the classroom — saving hours each week on grading, lesson planning, and creative content preparation.
“Malaysia has always been a hub of creativity and innovation, and we’re seeing that same spirit drive its AI transformation,” said Farhan S. Qureshi, Country Director of Google Malaysia. “From educators embracing Gemini Academy to researchers using AlphaFold, Malaysians are showing how AI can power meaningful progress. Google remains committed to helping the country harness AI responsibly for growth and social good.”
Google continues to collaborate with governments, businesses, and communities across ASEAN to develop an AI ecosystem that is innovative, inclusive, and responsible, ensuring AI becomes a sustainable driver of economic and social progress for all.