KUALA LUMPUR — The success of individuals, companies and nations in the future could be measured by how effectively they deploy and use artificial intelligence (AI), said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He noted that AI is no longer just a technological tool; rather, it has arguably become the next great enabler of economic competitiveness, national resilience, and even geopolitical influence.

“In many ways, AI has already disrupted how we work, search for or present information - even how we live, interact and entertain among ourselves. Still, there is no shortage of voices who will warn us about the challenges and dangers of this latest game changer.

“We cannot, for example, easily dismiss the possibility of AI aggravating increased polarisation, xenophobia, racism or propensity for war,” he said in his opening notes during the fireside chat session titled “The Intelligence Grid: Building Bridges Through Sovereign AI Collaboration” here today.