The wait is almost over. The World AI Show – Kuala Lumpur 2025, organised by Trescon, will officially begin tomorrow, 28 October, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur. Supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) as Strategic Partner and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) as Strategic Investment Partner, alongside CyberSecurity Malaysia and Invest Penang, the event underscores Malaysia’s growing role in advancing AI-driven innovation across Southeast Asia.

Malaysia’s AI Ambitions

Malaysia’s digital ambitions are accelerating rapidly. Estimates indicate that generative AI alone could unlock US$113 billion (≈RM540 billion) in additional productivity, while the MyDIGITAL initiative targets the digital economy to reach 25.5% of GDP by the end of 2025. With Microsoft’s record US$2.2 billion investment set to bring three hyperscale data centres and AI upskilling for 300,000 Malaysians by mid-2025, the nation is positioning itself as a regional hub for responsible and high-impact AI.

“AI is fast becoming Malaysia’s next growth catalyst. Government estimates show generative AI alone can unlock US$113 billion (≈RM540 billion) in additional productivity, while MyDIGITAL targets the digital economy to reach 25.5% of GDP by end-2025. Global confidence is matching ambition Microsoft’s record US$2.2 billion pledge, three hyperscale data centres and AI skills for 300,000 Malaysians, goes live in mid-2025, with an expected US$10.9 billion boost to the economy and more than 37,000 new jobs. Together, these advances position Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s proving ground for trustworthy, high-impact AI,” stated Stephanie Liew, Chief Information Security Officer, APMEA, British American Tobacco (BAT).

A Gathering of Global and Regional Leaders

The two-day event will convene government officials, industry pioneers, and global technology leaders. Among the headline speakers are Shamsul Izhan Bin Abdul Majid, Head of the National AI Office; Dato’ Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Bin Abdul Wahab, CEO of CyberSecurity Malaysia; and Vicks Kanagasingam, Advisor & Head of Data Governance at the Ministry of Digital, Malaysia.

They will be joined by senior figures from British American Tobacco, Johor Corporation, JLL Malaysia, CARSOME Group, Axiata, and Coca-Cola, among others. The diversity of sectors represented – from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and logistics – highlights the growing integration of AI across Malaysia’s economy.

Spotlight on Innovation and Collaboration

Key themes across the summit include Malaysia’s National AI Strategy, Smart Cities, Industry 4.0, Financial Services, Responsible AI, and Workforce Transformation. The event will also host investor showcases, executive roundtables, and the FutureTech World Cup – a live pitch competition for emerging AI ventures.

Sponsors and partners include Datadog, Denodo, Alibaba Cloud, EY, and Quantexa, alongside a roster of innovative exhibitors such as Robopreneur, Cognitus, and Work E Robotics.

Trescon’s Vision

“As we stand on the brink of yet another transformative edition of World AI Show, we are proud to see Malaysia taking a leadership position in AI innovation and investment,” said Mithun Shetty, Vice Chairman, Trescon. “Tomorrow’s opening marks a defining moment where technology, policy, and purpose come together — shaping the future of digital transformation in the region.”

With Malaysia emerging as a key player in the regional AI landscape, the World AI Show 2025 aims to cement its role as a catalyst for global collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth in the digital era.