The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has partnered with Axiomtek to help local companies, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to embrace advance technologies such as AI and move up the value chain. The Axiomtek Artificial Intelligence (AI) Starter Kit launched today adds to MIDA’s on-going initiative to drive the country towards Industry 4.0.

Axiomtek is a leading design and manufacturing company in the industrial computer and embedded fields, based in Taiwan. The company has successfully developed an affordable and practical AI solution with integrated hardware and software. This Starter Kit is an application ready package with a ‘plug-and-play’ feature for ease of implementation for various operational functions such as industrial automation, retail as well as smart city applications.

During the launch of the AI Starter Kit, Mr.Ahmad Khairuddin Abdul Rahim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer II of MIDA said, “This launch marks MIDA’s deliberate effort to quash the industry’s perception that AI is difficult while realising the goals of Industry4WRD. We are optimistic that this cost-effective AI Starter Kit, that prioritises ease of AI implementation for SMEs, will bring deep commercial value to companies that are working towards harnessing the full benefits of cutting edge technology.”

This launch is the beginning of a strategic programme that will be executed in phases to enable smooth implementation and adoption of AI technology within Malaysia’s industry ecosystem. The targeted beneficiaries include SMEs, mid-tier companies, local large companies as well as multinational companies within the manufacturing and services sectors. Additionally, this programme also aims to strengthen Malaysia’s talent ecosystem through potential collaboration with universities.

“This Axiomtek AI Starter Kit implementation embodies the spirit of integration, whereby the Government, technology leaders, manufacturers, and research communities come together to co-create new solutions to jointly expand the limits of our collective capabilities. By empowering the local manufacturing ecosystem, various local universities are able to join in to create AI modelling and applications from the starter kits applicable for use by SMEs.

MIDA hopes to equip university students and educators with the same knowledge and technical know-how, making sure our students are able to appreciate and optimise the usage of AI technologies once they become part of the workforce in the country”, remarked Mr.Ahmad Khairuddin.

Source: MIDA