Emerging Technologies and MyDIGITAL
The pandemic has changed the world in many ways. One trajectory that has been supercharged and accelerated is the adoption of everything digital. A low touch, work-from-anywhere, e-commerce fuelled economy has made going digital an urgent necessity for individuals, businesses and governments.
Although Malaysia launched our digital ambitions in 1996 with the Multimedia Super Corridor, we squandered that head start. Many other regional peers have overtaken us with better connectivity, tech funding ecosystem, home grown unicorns and presence of global tech giants. There is a huge catch up that needs to be done. And we need to do it now and in a big way.
This was the motivation behind the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) launched by PM on 19th February. This is the plan to transform Malaysia into a digitally-driven, high income nation and a regional leader in digital economy.
MyDIGITAL imagines a future where the rakyat can enjoy improved digital literacy, higher-paying jobs, improved social wellbeing and environmental sustainability; businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), will have greater opportunities to build and expand locally, regionally and even globally through digital revenue streams, as well as opportunities to integrate and be more cost efficient through a shared economy. A digitally-enabled government will provide integrated end-to-end online government services which are more efficient, effective and transparent.
The overall council to drive MyDIGITAL is chaired by PM, and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is part of the Steering Committee as chair of the ‘Emerging Technology Cluster’ (ETC). This cluster will set policy direction, and oversee the deployment of emerging technologies in support of the aspirations of MyDIGITAL.
The objective of the ETC is to go beyond just digital. We will be looking at a spectrum of deep tech that is being utilised in the IR4.0 framework which is seeing the convergence of the digital, physical and biological domains. This will see the rapid deployment of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, internet of things, 3D printing, precision medicine and quantum computing to drive Malaysia’s future growth trajectory.
For us at MOSTI driving emerging technologies is already underway;
1. MOSTI recently introduced five (5) R&D funds under Malaysia Grand Challenge (MGC), focusing on areas identified in the mySTIE 10x10 framework, to encourage research, development, commercialisation and innovation (R&D&C&I) in the country.
2. Additionally, I have also embarked on an exercise to restructure existing functions and agencies under my ministry to create a renewed focus on accelerating commercialization. All activities around R&D conversion, creating spin-offs, targeted capacity building, technology development and ecosystem support will be centralized under a Technology Commercialization Accelerator (TCA). TCA will connect technology seekers with technology providers and also bridge what I have mentioned in No.1 and my next point on NTIS. Details of which I will be announcing soon.
3. I have also recently provided an update on National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), a facility that is run by MOSTI that allows researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to test their products and services in a live environment and qualify for grants to bring those products and services to market.
4. We continue to support several e-government initiatives for example in healthcare, via our agency, MIMOS. TPC-OHCIS, and myHDW respectively use advanced data security technology and AI-based data analytics to improve the quality of public healthcare service delivery.
5. In the manufacturing sector, the Smart Manufacturing Intelligent Service Platform (SMISP) was created to offer shared services infrastructure to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI, big data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Augmented Reality. The infrastructure provides cloud-based tools for creating smart solutions, services and applications, through enabling smart devices and sensors in a simple and standardised manner.
6. NanoMalaysia, MOSTI's nanotechnology commercialization agency, has developed connected nano devices and systems through REVOLUTIoNT (Revolution by Internet of Nano Things) under the 12th Malaysia Plan. Adopting the venture builder investment model partnering with startups, SMEs, universities and end-users, this initiative is a progressive step towards higher value solutions by integrating nanotechnology enabled smart farming, geo-mapping drones, asset tagging, intelligent decentralised energy grid, connected electric mobility, wireless power transmission and autonomous systems.
7. In addition, we have explored the use of satellite imaging and data analytics to develop new solutions for the tourism sector, and the use of internet of things (IOT) sensors for environmental monitoring, for example waterway and air pollution.
Emerging technologies are also helping us manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting the health ministry, MIMOS has incorporated blockchain technology, or more specifically blockchain-based traceability, into MOH’s COVID-19 Vaccine Management System. The COVID-19 immunisation program is a critical exercise for the nation and it is of utmost importance that we ensure every dose ends up in the arms of the rakyat. Use of blockchain technology will provide stronger assurance around the vaccine supply chain, as vaccine supply enters the country and is distributed to vaccination locations nationwide, thus reducing the risk of theft and fraud, and ultimately reduce wastage.
The blockchain technology is meant to help handle two key flows; (i) the vaccine supply chain and logistics tracking – where the ledger can help ensure visible traceability of the vaccine through its supply chain; and (ii) post vaccination proof of vaccination – where immutable data from the blockchain can be used to create an auditable certificate of proof of vaccination. It is early days in its rollout, but we are confident that this technology, as well as strong data integration, analytics and visualisation techniques will enable us to monitor progress made and make robust decisions along the way.
On a related point, at MOSTI we are also exploring the possible use of blockchain technology for customs clearance,and improving reliability of our halal meat supply chain.
Likewise, other exploratory initiatives to help combat the pandemic are afoot. Through our various agencies, we are working on accelerating active genomic surveillance to detect on-going mutations of the COVID-19 virus (critical given new strains prevalence in the UK, South Africa and Brazil), as well as working with our agencies to explore the possibility of creating locally-developed and reliable rapid test kits (RTK) at a large scale. Others include exploring the viability of nano-particle infused PPE for frontliners, and the use of nano-filters and irradiation techniques for retrofit onto air-conditioning units to help reduce indoor virus transmission. These are a selection of different technologies we have been exploring at MOSTI and to help combat the pandemic.
Emerging technologies are by their very nature novel in their application, and nascent in their adoption. At MOSTI, we will pave the way for encouraging the use of these technologies across a range of use cases. We are developing a number of National Roadmaps, for example in artificial intelligence, blockchain, semiconductors and E&E, and robotics. These roadmaps are intended to guide national policy direction for the use and adoption of these technologies, which will include the development of standards, investments in the form of grants and venture capital, as well as frame government-initiated incubation programmes that will help provide momentum for private sector adoption. MOSTI will be progressively announcing these roadmaps throughout the course of the coming year.
