TOKYO: June 10, 2026 – Malaysia is not only striving to become an AI nation by 2030 but also aspires to help shape a digital civilisation founded on the values of humanity, justice, and shared prosperity, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
In a special lecture titled “Humanity in a Human-Machine Civilisation” delivered at The University of Tokyo, Anwar said the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence opens new frontiers for human progress, yet the real challenge lies in ensuring that technology remains guided by wisdom, compassion, and moral responsibility.
He spoke after a meeting with the university’s president, Teruo Fujii.
According to Anwar, Asia should not enter the AI era merely as a market, manufacturing hub, or source of data. Instead, the region must play a role in shaping a digital civilisation that benefits humanity.
“The true measure of progress is not the sophistication of the machines and technologies we produce, but the extent to which they elevate human dignity and strengthen universal justice,” he said.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern over ongoing conflicts and suffering in various parts of the world, despite humanity’s extraordinary technological achievements.
He noted that tragedies such as the conflicts in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon demonstrate that some technologies associated with progress also have the potential to intensify oppression and warfare.
During the lecture, Anwar referenced the concept of ningen, introduced by Japanese philosopher Watsuji Tetsurō, which emphasises that human beings are shaped through relationships with family, community, history, and shared lived experiences.
He argued that while technology may be capable of producing convincing answers, it cannot understand human experiences such as loss, love, regret, and the values that inform moral judgment.
The future of AI, he said, is also closely tied to questions of power and sovereignty. Every nation must therefore have the capacity to understand, manage, and determine the direction of the technologies used by its society.
“Our challenge is not to halt progress, but to ensure that progress is guided by values, grounded in wisdom and compassion, and upholds responsibility and care for fellow human beings,” Anwar said.
