AI, Actually | From Global Strategy to Local Realities
AI is moving fast. But what does that actually mean for the people building, adopting and shaping AI in Malaysia?
Join us for an open community conversation bringing together Malaysia's AI builders, founders and communities with Daniel Castro, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading technology and innovation policy think tank.
Daniel works at the intersection of AI, technology policy, innovation and technological competitiveness, and contributes to policy discussions on how governments and industries are responding to rapid technological change.
This isn't a policy briefing or a one-way talk.
It’s a chance to bring global perspectives into a room with people building on the ground, ask the questions you don't usually get to ask, and compare what is happening in Malaysia with the wider global AI landscape.
What we'll talk about
Expect a mix of perspectives around:
🌏 Global AI strategy & competition
What are governments and industries around the world prioritising, and where is the AI race heading?
🇲🇾 Malaysia’s AI opportunity
Where does Malaysia stand, and what opportunities could we realistically pursue?
🏗️ Building AI on the ground
What are Malaysian builders actually facing when it comes to talent, adoption, infrastructure and commercialisation?
💡 Beyond the hype
What matters when we move from AI strategy and announcements to actual implementation?
🤝 What comes next
Where could Malaysia collaborate with the U.S. and the wider region?
What to expect
2:00 PM
Welcome & introductions
2:15 PM
The Home of AI Builders in Malaysia
Malaysian AI Residency showcase
3:00 PM
- Global AI Perspectives with Daniel Castro
U.S. technology policy, AI strategy and global competitiveness.
- Open Q&A
Bring your questions. We want this to be as interactive as possible.
4:00 PM
Networking & exchange
5:30 PM
Wrap-up
Why we're doing this
Access to global perspectives and decision-makers isn't always easy, especially for people early in their careers or building outside traditional institutional circles.
We want to create a space where Malaysian AI builders can hear directly from a U.S. technology policy expert, ask questions, challenge assumptions and exchange perspectives.
At the same time, Daniel gets something equally important: first-hand exposure to the people actually building and navigating Malaysia's AI ecosystem.
The most useful conversations about AI shouldn't happen only between policymakers and executives.
Note: Organised as part of the Malaysia–U.S. Digital Economy Bridge, a reciprocal exchange under the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program (PFP). The YSEALI PFP is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education.
About START
START is a community-led business network and ecosystem-building platform connecting entrepreneurs, businesses and ecosystem stakeholders to insights, networks and opportunities across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Through partnerships, cross-border exchanges and market access initiatives, START helps turn connections into commercial opportunities. HERizon is START’s women-focused initiative, championing women in entrepreneurship and leadership across the region.
About HERizon
HERizon is a movement and platform to reimagine what women in entrepreneurship and leadership can achieve across Southeast Asia. We spotlight diverse talent, cultivate support systems, and bridge grassroots voices with ecosystem stakeholders, shaping pathways towards a more equitable tomorrow.
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About BizPod
BizPod serves as Taylor's University's startup incubator, dedicated to guiding students on their entrepreneurial journey. This ecosystem is primarily driven by student startups, creating an interconnected network that addresses gaps in the end-to-end solution chain. Led by seasoned lecturers and entrepreneurs, and backed by a robust group of accomplished mentors from the startup industry, BizPod focuses on delivering cutting-edge, consumer-oriented digital innovations to tackle current and future challenges.
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