Malaysia calls for Global South to have greater say in AI decisions

New York: Malaysia has urged greater participation of Global South countries in international discussions on artificial intelligence (AI), according to Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. The foreign minister emphasized that AI is reshaping economies, societies, and government decision-making processes, while a select few private entities currently control how billions of people communicate, work, transact, and consume information.

Hasan stressed that technology must work for humanity, not the other way around, and warned against allowing a few companies or countries to dictate rules for everyone else. He emphasized that the Global South cannot merely serve as a location for data centers while AI-related decisions are made elsewhere. Instead, the Global South must be involved in the innovation process, not just as customers, markets, or investment destinations.

Hasan stressed the importance of equitable decision-making and development, including managing the significant demands placed on technological infrastructure, such as water, energy, land, and other resources, to ensure AI's benefits are more widely distributed globally. This call aligns with the UN's efforts to establish a global approach to AI governance, with the inaugural session of its Global Dialogue on AI Governance taking place in Geneva in July.

The UN initiative aims to foster an inclusive platform for countries to discuss the opportunities and risks associated with AI. For Malaysia, which has positioned itself as a regional hub for data centers and AI infrastructure, the call is particularly relevant. Additionally, Hasan urged parties involved in the ongoing conflict in West Asia to step back, warning that disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandab, vital routes for global energy and trade, would have far-reaching consequences beyond the region.

He emphasized that a middle power like Malaysia, alongside regional organizations like ASEAN, can help sustain dialogue when major powers cannot reach agreements.