CDC presents artificial intelligence procurement systems at ADB conference

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Malaysian technology firm Commerce Dot Com Sdn Bhd (CDC) has showcased its expertise in applying artificial intelligence (AI) to public procurement during the 11th Asia Pacific Public Electronic Procurement Network (APPeN) Conference in Thimphu, Bhutan. The event, organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Royal Government of Bhutan, gathered over 70 participants from 28 countries, including government officials and technology industry representatives.

CDC's Executive Director, Putri Nurul Ida Yahya, highlighted that AI can assist public institutions in interpreting intricate data, automating routine tasks, and providing valuable insights for procurement decision-making. The focus is on selecting applications that tackle real-world issues and yield measurable enhancements. To illustrate, a three-month pilot project using conversational AI in Malaysia's government procurement system successfully decreased call center workload by 15-18 percent, according to Putri Nurul Ida.

CDC emphasized the importance of responsible AI use, advocating for ethical practices, strict data protection, stringent security and access controls, transparency, and ongoing human oversight. Throughout the conference, discussions centered on technology implementation strategies, change management, system deployment, and methods to maintain user engagement.

These conversations offered CDC an opportunity to share insights from Malaysia's e-GP experience with regional organizations contemplating the integration of AI in public procurement, emphasizing the potential for Malaysia's expertise to contribute to regional AI adoption in public procurement in a practical and responsible manner.