Technology

by SHAUQI WAHAB

THE government is requiring social media platforms to verify users’ ages and prevent those under 16 from holding accounts, as part of the new Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) which came into force on Jan 1, 2026.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Teo Nie Ching said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is taking a comprehensive regulatory approach to limit harmful content and reduce exposure risks for young users.

This includes ongoing engagement with social media companies to ensure their algorithms comply with local rules and do not push negative or dangerous material to minors.

“As the regulator of the communications and multimedia industry, MCMC is adopting a holistic approach to ensure harmful content can be controlled and that exposure to young users, especially teenagers and children, can be prevented,” she said in Parliament today.

A key focus now is testing the feasibility of age verification systems as a compliance requirement under Act 866.

MCMC is running a Regulatory Sandbox with platform providers to assess suitable technologies, including age verification, entity validation, AI-based detection of risky content, and faster complaint-handling mechanisms.

The evaluation covers data security, personal data protection, privacy considerations, technological accuracy and alignment with Malaysia’s legal framework.

After this testing phase, the obligation to ensure users aged 16 and below do not operate social media accounts will be placed squarely on platform providers through subsidiary regulations. She stressed that the law carries heavy penalties for non-compliance.

“For any failure to comply with obligations under Act 866, licensed service providers can be subjected to financial penalties of up to RM10 million,” she said.

Teo added that while Act 866 is already in force, additional subsidiary instruments to strengthen enforcement are expected to be rolled out in the second quarter of 2026, further tightening online safety standards and accountability for global platforms operating in Malaysia.

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Safer Internet Campaign 1.0 has achieved a significant impact by providing foundational knowledge to protect young users from online risks, reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to building a safer cyber environment for all.

Media Research and Digital Media Socialisation expert Assoc. Prof. Dr Shafizan Mohamed said that the campaign – which involved over 8,000 schools and nearly 370,000 students as of November 30 last year – successfully brought internet safety issues to public attention and provided essential exposure to risks such as cyberbullying. 

“In terms of coverage, this campaign reached its target as information was widely disseminated. However, it was primarily awareness-based. Efforts are now needed to measure its effectiveness regarding actual behavioral changes,” she told Bernama.

The lecturer from the Department of Communication at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) added that understanding the level of information retention among students is crucial so that it can be translated into safe and consistent daily practices, especially within the context of internet use at home with family.

Commenting on improvements for the upcoming Safer Internet Campaign 2.0, Shafizan suggested shifting from a purely awareness-based approach to capacity building and practical, application-based skills, rather than relying solely on posters, slogans, or lectures.  

Content should utilise popular digital platforms like Tik Tok, WhatsApp, and Instagram to deliver messages that are contextual and relatable to users’ realities.

Messaging should not be fear-based; instead, it should provide practical guidance on protective steps users can take online while attention must be given to the digital literacy gap between parents and children, the normalization of risks like scams and hate speech, and the growing need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy.

Shafizan emphasised that internet safety is not the sole responsibility of children and teenagers, but requires collective support by equipping parents with practical skills and involving teachers, communities, leaders, and media practitioners.

Meanwhile, parent Rosalynd Low, a mother of two children aged 16 and 13, argued that while no internet is truly “safe” – especially with the advancement of AI – a relatively safe internet can prevent scams, cyberbullying, and access to negative content such as violence, drugs, and pornography.

“I monitor what they’re doing on gaming sites like Roblox, but most importantly is the communication. We talk about the latest trends, news, scams and risks, while they also tell us about content that they watch and we educate them on how many types of content are staged, fake, and AI. 

“One way (to use internet safely) is to verify the news, if it’s reported by major news portals it means there’s some truth to it, but of course even news on major portals need to be taken with a pinch of salt – senationalisation, framing etc are all part of news reporting and should be taken into consideration,” katanya. 

Low said her youngest is not allowed social media accounts, while her eldest’s Instagram and TikTok accounts are closely monitored.

“We talk about the latest trends, news, scams, and risks… we educate them on how many types of content are staged, fake, and AI-generated.”

She teaches her children to verify news through major portals while remaining critical of sensationalism and framing.

On December 16, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that the Ministry, via the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission(MCMC), will intensify Campaign 2.0 this year to strengthen online safety for children and families.

As of December, Campaign 1.0 reached nearly 8,500 schools – surpassing the initial target of 8,000 – with over 400,000 participants.

Furthermore, MCMC has announced that the 2026 Safer Internet Day celebration will be held on February 8 at Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, focusing on promoting the safe, responsible, and ethical use of the internet and AI. — BERNAMA

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IN a rare occurrence in their long and intertwined histories, Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. are set to report earnings on the same day, the latest salvo in their high-stakes race in AI memory chips.

The dual earnings calls on Thursday are expected to underscore a surge in demand for high-performance memory used in artificial intelligence servers and data centers. They’re also expected to reflect soaring memory prices across the broader electronics industry as chipmakers focus on advanced memory production at the expense of conventional chips.

Once defined by sharp boom-and-bust cycles, the memory business is now delivering profits that would have been improbable just a few years ago, lifting valuations across the sector. Samsung’s shares have surged about 130% since the start of September, while SK Hynix’s shares have roughly tripled.

The record supply shortfall for both DRAM and NAND is granting memory makers strong pricing power, said Timothy Moe, chief Asia Pacific equity strategist at Goldman Sachs.

“You’re in the supernormal profit environment, and we think that’s going to characterize this year and even next year,” he said, adding that if AI proliferates into more industries, “there is a good argument that this cycle can go stronger for longer.”

Attention is on Samsung’s bid to overtake its smaller peer SK Hynix at the forefront of high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, a critical component in AI accelerators. Samsung aims to narrow the gap with its next-generation HBM4, which is set to be integrated with Nvidia Corp.’s upcoming flagship Rubin processors. The world’s biggest memory maker is close to securing certification from Nvidia for the latest version of its AI memory chip.  

“Samsung is 50% of global DRAM capacity, so it was always the industry assumption that Nvidia would eventually qualify them,” said Richard Clode, a portfolio manager on the global technology team at Janus Henderson. “It’s hard to deliver Nvidia’s road map of growth without support from the largest memory supplier.”

SK Hynix will hold its earnings call at 9 a.m. in Seoul, followed by Samsung at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Analysts polled by Bloomberg estimate SK Hynix’s operating profit doubled to a record 16.6 trillion won ($11.5 billion) in the December quarter. Revenue is seen climbing more than 50% to 31.1 trillion won, reflecting the company’s dominance in HBM3E — the most advanced version currently used by Nvidia and major cloud operators.

Samsung is poised to post bumper results from its semiconductor division. The unit’s operating profit is expected to rise to 10.85 trillion won for the quarter, according to the average of analyst estimates. The company already offered a glimpse of the rebound earlier this month in preliminary results, signaling that its memory business — long pressured by weak prices and excessive inventories — has roared back to life. 

The average selling price of DRAM is expected to climb 120%, while that of NAND is estimated to climb 90% this year, Citigroup analysts Peter Lee, Jayden Oh and Josh Yang wrote in a report, lifting their price targets for SK Hynix by 56% and for Samsung by 20%.

The broader market momentum helps Samsung defend its position as industry leader. For SK Hynix, the focus is on keeping ahead in HBM, earned from years of investment that helped it leap ahead in the industry’s most lucrative segment. 

Repeated cycles of financial distress, heavy debt and restructuring left SK Hynix the perpetual underdog for much of its history — technically capable but vulnerable in down-cycles. But in 2012, SK Group’s acquisition of the company allowed the chipmaker to make an early bet on HBM, a niche that Samsung initially viewed as too small. 

That gamble paid off when AI reshaped computing. The partnership with Nvidia has transformed SK Hynix from a cyclical laggard into a strategic linchpin of the AI supply chain, putting it on a more equal footing with Samsung.

The fact that the two companies are reporting on the same day “draws attention to their rivalry as the HBM4 era approaches,” said Young Jae Lee, senior investment manager at Pictet Asset Management. –BLOOMBERG

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The centre aims to make AI more accessible through exhibits, live robot demonstrations and learning areas, including coding and programming zones for children 

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

A NEW artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics experience centre has opened at i-City in Shah Alam, bringing humanoid robotics into a public-facing space as Malaysia moves towards implementing its National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2026-2030.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang officiated the opening of the AI World Experience Centre (AIWEC), which was developed by I-Berhad in collaboration with AGIBOT.

The centre is the first of its kind in South-East Asia and a signal of Malaysia’s readiness to lead in AI and smart technologies, added Chang.

With the government preparing to implement the National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2026-2030, Chang said AI is already reshaping industries and daily life, and wider adoption will depend on public familiarity and trust, not only investment and talent.

He said AIWEC is intended to widen access to AI knowledge by combining exhibits, live robotic demonstrations and AI learning modules, including coding and programming zones for children.

“What makes AIWEC so unique is its deep alignment with our national priorities.

“This is not merely a high-tech showcase, this is an inclusive, interactive and educational space designed to spark curiosity, build AI literacy and empower Malaysians of all ages to understand and engage with one of the most transformative technologies of our time.”

Chang said visitors can learn to code and programme robots, watch live AI demonstrations and explore how intelligent systems shape the world, describing the hands-on format as “AI awareness in action.”

The long term aim is to cultivate interest in STEM and build a pipeline of scientists, engineers and innovators who will shape Malaysia’s digital future

The long term aim is to cultivate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and build a pipeline of scientists, engineers and innovators who will shape Malaysia’s digital future.

He also credited I-Berhad and AGIBOT for developing what he called Malaysia’s first world-class AI and robotics centre and for choosing Malaysia as the first international launch site outside China.

“This speaks volumes of the confidence placed in our innovation ecosystem, talent pool and national commitment to advancing science and technology,” he added.

Centres such as AIWEC can act as catalysts for public-private collaboration, upskilling and reskilling, and the development of a homegrown AI industry, while also strengthening Malaysia’s pitch as a regional hub for AI education and public engagement.

Chang added that the concept can be replicated nationwide with state governments, academia and industry to broaden digital opportunity and ensure AI literacy reaches beyond urban centres to suburban and rural communities.

He encouraged students to see the centre as a starting point for curiosity, parents and educators to use it to spark lifelong learning, and industry players to view it as a platform to test ideas and build partnerships in the age of AI.

Chang also urged more global technology players to see Malaysia as a gateway to South-East Asia’s digital economy, arguing that public-facing centres help bridge the gap between policy ambition and real-world understanding.

AIWEC is an inclusive, interactive and educational space designed to spark curiosity, says Chang (second from left)

Centre for Public Eyes Bringing Embodied AI to Life

AIWEC’s role is to turn embodied AI into something Malaysians can see in motion, rather than only hear about in policy language.

According to AGIBOT, AIWEC is a space where visitors can engage directly with humanoid robots in a physical, immersive environment.

Featuring up to 100 robots, the centre is intended to demonstrate how embodied AI can be applied in everyday scenarios, from smart urban services and facilities management to lifestyle, wellness and hospitality environments. Rather than abstract demonstrations, the focus is on practical, real-world use cases that show how intelligent machines can operate alongside people in daily life.

The opening of the centre marks AGIBOT’s first international experience centre outside China and positions Malaysia as its first overseas market. Beyond serving as a public-facing showcase, the site also functions as a strategic entry point for broader deployments across property management, hospitality operations and urban infrastructure, signalling a longer-term commitment to scaling embodied AI solutions in the region.

The company said AIWEC is designed to appeal to abroad audience — from local communities and families to students and international visitors — with its layout organised around immersive zones, live robot demonstrations and interactive environments. Together, these elements are intended to turn advanced technology into tangible, hands-on encounters that are accessible, engaging and easy to understand.

AGIBOT builds robots that learn and adapt in real life

i-City Isn’t Just the Scene

AIWEC is part of a strategic partnership between AGIBOT and I-Berhad at i-City, which AGIBOT has identified as its first large-scale urban deployment outside China. The site is positioned as a living testbed for applied AI and embodied robotics, allowing technologies to be tested and refined within a real city environment rather than in isolated labs.

The partnership roadmap extends beyond the experience centre itself. AGIBOT has outlined plans to integrate robotics into i-City’s hospitality and property assets, alongside the development of concepts such as the AI Smart Tower, envisioned as a wellness-oriented development that leverages AI and robotics to support smarter, more responsive lifestyles.

Within this setting, the centre is designed to operate as both an attraction and a platform. It offers a space for exploration, learning and co-development, while serving as a point of engagement for students, young professionals and industry stakeholders seeking hands-on exposure to applied AI.

The platform is intended to catalyse discussions around real-world use cases, support pilot deployments and foster partnerships that translate robotics research into scalable solutions.

As part of the strategic alliance, AGIBOT’s robotics and embodied AI have already been deployed across i-City’s property, hospitality and tourism offerings, and day-to-day urban life, with wellness and longevity positioned as part of a broader narrative alongside productivity and automation.

The company decsribed AIWEC as the first stage of a longer-term partnership between AGIBOT and I-Berhad.

AGIBOT president for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East Abel Deng said the opening marks the close of the first phase of the company’s partnership with i-City, while signalling the start of a broader regional expansion.

“This launch also represents the first of several strategic initiatives we plan to roll out across the AsiaPacific region (APAC) throughout 2026 and beyond.” 

Deng added that AGIBOT plans to accelerate the development of the embodied robotics ecosystem in APAC, with products and solutions deployed across a wider range of what the company describes as “closed-loop commercial scenarios”.

The term is significant, as it points to a focus on repeatable, measurable deployments integrated into real operating environments, rather than isolated or one-off demonstrations.

Visitors can engage directly with humanoid robots in a physical, immersive environment at AIWEC

Developer’s bet on AI Tower, RaaS

I-Berhad chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong linked the initiative to Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional hub for AI innovation, driven by integrated development across technology, governance, talent, infrastructure and investment.

“We are confident that this strategic initiative between AGIBOT and I-Berhad will advance Malaysia’s vision to emerge as a regional hub for AI innovation through coordinated progress in technolog y, governance, talent, infrastructure and investment,” he said.

The next phase would focus on developing what he described as “the world’s first AI and Robotics Residential Tower” positioned as a real-world testbed and commercialisation platform for humanoid robotics.

“We are accelerating the integration of embodied intelligence into everyday residential life,” he said.

Health, wellness and longevity are intended to sit at the centre of the residential concept, with AI Tower positioned as a platform to bring advanced robotics into everyday living and to shape the residential environments of the future.

“By converging AI, robotics, wellness innovation and a scalable Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, we are establishing a new benchmark for intelligent, human-centric living in the region, beginning with AI Tower,” he said.

According to Taihua, the launch exemplifies AGIBOT’s commitment to bring industrial-scale, practical robotics to customers across this region

Shaping AGI Era

AGIBOT was founded in 2023 with an ambition reflected in its name: Building robots for the artificial general intelligence (AGI) era.

The company focuses on embodied intelligent robots that can learn, adapt and evolve in real-world settings, rather than on single-purpose machines.

AGIBOT rolled out its 5,168th mass-produced humanoid, presenting the milestone as evidence of industrial-grade production and large-scale commercial readiness.

The company advanced through real-world reinforcement learning, enabling robots to be trained and deployed directly in physical production environments.

Based on Omdia’s General-Purpose Embodied Intelligent Robot 2026 report, AGIBOT ranked first globally in humanoid robot shipments and market share in 2025, having shipped over 5,100 units and captured 39% of the global market.

AGIBOT founder, chairman and CEO Deng Taihua linked these milestones as evidence of the company’s drive for both scale and practical application.

“Last year, AGIBOT made significant strides in advancing both the mass production and real-world use of embodied robotics.

“This progress culminated in December with the rollout of our 5,000th mass-produced humanoid robot — a milestone that underscores our growing production capacity and technological maturity. This milestone, along with others, puts AGIBOT in a strong position as we start 2026.

“This launch event in Malaysia exemplifies our commitment to bringing industrial-scale, practical robotics to customers across this region,” he said.

Headquartered in Shanghai, AGIBOT has positioned itself to combine technological innovation with large-scale deployment, using these milestones to demonstrate readiness for global expansion.

AGIBOT also maintains a diversified portfolio spanning multiple robot series and product types, all designed to support industrial, commercial and public-sector applications.

The opening of AIWEC marks Malaysia’s next phase in the AI era, where AI is not only as an economic priority but also a practical technology that Malaysians will increasingly encounter in everyday life.

Beyond abstract policy discussions, AI is becoming embedded in urban services, workplaces, healthcare, hospitality and home environments, making hands-on engagement more important than ever.

As AI tools grow more capable and adoption accelerates, the greater challenge lies in building public understanding and trust, alongside establishing clear frameworks for safety, privacy and accountability. Without these, adoption risks being driven by hype rather than informed comprehension.

In this context, experience centres like AIWEC play a vital role. By translating AI into tangible, interactive encounters — allowing visitors to see, question and directly engage with the technology — such centres can help cultivate AI literacy early, shaping a society where adoption is guided by knowledge, curiosity and confidence rather than uncertainty or fear.

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

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APPLE Inc. unveiled an upgraded AirTag accessory, with the $29 item finder now offering longer range, a louder speaker and other improvements.

The new model uses an upgraded Bluetooth chip and can locate lost items from up to 50% farther away than the previous generation, the company said in a statement on Monday. Its speaker is 50% louder than before, according to the company, and includes what Apple calls a “distinctive new chime” that it said makes it easier to find items that have gone missing. 

Owners of the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later models can also now track an AirTag’s location from their wrist for the first time. 

The new device is available now for the same price as its predecessor and can still be purchased in a four-pack for $99. Bloomberg reported last September that Apple was preparing to release an upgraded AirTag.

As with the original model, the new version is “designed exclusively for tracking objects, and not people or pets,” Apple said in the statement. The device includes a range of protections against unwanted tracking or stalking, including cross-platform alerts on both iOS and Android.

The new AirTag also continues to integrate with Apple’s Find My network, a crowd-sourced network of Apple devices that use Bluetooth to detect the location of a product and report its whereabouts back to the owner.

The new AirTag’s external design is unchanged, meaning it remains compatible with accessories designed for the original model, Apple added.

The Cupertino, California-based company has found other ways to help reunite users with their belongings. In 2024, it introduced a feature called Share Item Location that lets AirTag owners share the location of a misplaced item with trusted third parties — such as an airline’s customer service team — to improve the chances of it being recovered.

Other phone makers, including Samsung Electronics Co. and Lenovo Group Ltd.’s Motorola unit, have released their own item trackers that use similar “ultra wideband” technology for locating objects. –BLOOMBERG

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KULAI — The implementation of a minimum age limit of 16 for social media use, aimed at protecting children and adolescents from exploitation and exposure to inappropriate online content, is expected to be enforced as early as July.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the initiative is currently in the regulatory sandbox phase, allowing the government to test and refine the most effective implementation methods before full enforcement.

She said the measure is being carried out in line with the Online Safety Act (OnSA), with discussions already underway with social media platform providers to determine the most suitable approach.

“Under OnSA, we have begun discussions with platform providers. We are now in the regulatory sandbox stage to identify the best, most effective and safest way to conduct age verification. At present, we are still in the discussion and planning phase with the platform providers.

“This is our target for this year. As was announced by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, we expect it to be implemented in the second half of the year,” she said when met after the handing over ceremony of the Early Schooling Assistance at Sekolah Kebangsaan Putra Utama here today. 

The government is reportedly targeting all social media platforms to implement digital user identity verification (eKYC) by the end of the second quarter of 2026 to enforce the minimum age requirement for account registration.

Asked about cyberbullying involving national badminton player Toh Ee Wei, Teo said she had yet to receive confirmation from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on whether any complaints had been lodged regarding the matter.

Commenting on today’s programme, Teo said the MADANI Government, through the Ministry of Education, has allocated RM800 million for Early Schooling Assistance (BAP) this year, benefiting approximately 5.2 million students from Year One to Form Six nationwide.

Teo, who is the Kulai Member of Parliament, said 586,153 students received assistance, involving a total allocation of RM87.9 million in Johor.

“For the Kulai district alone, 58,264 students benefited, involving RM8.7 million,” she said. — BERNAMA

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by HIDAYATH HISHAM

THE Digital Ministry is developing the Malaysia Digital Inclusivity Index (MyIKD), a centralised database aimed at measuring the digital divide within Malaysian society.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (picture) said the index will support government efforts to ensure digitalisation does not widen social inequalities, particularly in terms of access and affordability.

In Dewan Rakyat today, Gobind said MyIKD will function as a policy tool to assess whether investments in new technologies, including artificial intelligence and data infrastructure, are delivering tangible benefits to people, businesses and the economy.

He said the index is anchored under the Digital Economy Action Framework, specifically under its fifth pillar to build an inclusive digital society and strengthen the national digital ecosystem.

He added that MyIKD is intended to address growing public questions about whether large-scale digital investments, such as data centres, justify their costs and resource demands through real improvements to livelihoods, economic outcomes and governance.

Responding to Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH – Bukit Bendera) on a question regarding the socio-economic value of the index, Gobind said MyIKD will measure several key dimensions to evaluate digital impact more systematically.

He said accessibility will be assessed to ensure communities are able to connect to and use new technologies without being left behind.

Affordability is another core dimension, particularly for households as well as small and micro enterprises (SMEs and MSMEs), to prevent cost barriers from limiting technology adoption.

“We do not want a situation where new technology exists, but the public sees it as too expensive. We look at SMEs, MSMEs and so on. If they want to use technology and it is too costly, it becomes a problem. So we have to look at how we ensure it is something that can be used by everyone, taking costs into account,” he said.

The index will also measure ability, including levels of digital literacy, skills and the availability of digital talent among ICT graduates and workers.

He said relevance is equally important to ensure digital technologies are channelled to sectors where they are most needed and can deliver meaningful impact.

The final dimension focuses on readiness and adoption, measuring whether society is prepared to use new technologies and whether uptake is occurring in practice.

Gobind said MyIKD will allow annual measurement of outcomes, enabling the government to evaluate effectiveness, refine interventions and engage industry stakeholders as Malaysia moves towards its AI 2030 ambitions.

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has lifted the temporary access restriction on X’s Grok artificial intelligence (AI) application with effect today, following confirmation of the implementation of additional preventive and security measures by the social media platform.

In a statement today, MCMC said the decision was made after a meeting on Wednesday involving the Ministry of Communications, MCMC and representatives of X to obtain clarification and commitments regarding preventive measures and compliance with Malaysian laws.

“X has confirmed that the required security measures have been implemented on the Grok application,” the statement said.

According to MCMC, after taking into account the explanations and initial confirmation provided, the commission has lifted the temporary access restriction imposed on the Grok application, subject to continuous monitoring by the authorities.

It stressed that user safety remained a priority and any failure to comply or violations of Malaysian laws would be dealt with firmly.

On Jan 11, MCMC ordered a temporary restriction on access to Grok AI for users in Malaysia following repeated misuse to generate obscene and sexually explicit content. — BERNAMA

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SAN FRANCISCO — Intel shares dove more than 10 percent Thursday despite the struggling US chip maker doing better than expected in the recently ended quarter, as its revenue forecast disappointed investors.

Intel reported a loss of $600 million on revenue of $13.7 billion in the final three months of last year.

That compares with a loss of $100 million on revenue of $14.3 billion in the same period a year earlier.

While the depth of losses beat market expectations, Intel’s revenue forecast for the current quarter fell far short of what Wall Street analysts were predicting amid recently raised expectations for the company.

Shares in Intel soared late last year after AI giant Nvidia announced it would invest $5 billion in its lagging rival.

Nvidia joined Japanese investment giant SoftBank and the US government in backing the once-dominant chipmaker, which has fallen behind in recent years after missing key technology shifts.

President Donald Trump’s administration surprised the tech industry last year by taking a 10 percent equity stake in Intel, recognizing the strategic importance of the company that powered the PC and internet revolution with its processors.

Intel largely missed the smartphone boom and failed to develop competitive hardware for the AI era, allowing Asian manufacturers TSMC and Samsung to dominate the custom semiconductor market.

Most notably, Intel was blindsided by Nvidia’s rise as the world’s leading AI chip provider.

Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs), originally designed for gaming consoles, have become the essential building blocks of artificial intelligence systems, with tech giants scrambling to secure them for their data servers and AI projects.

Lip-Bu Tan, who took over as Intel CEO in March of last year amid layoffs and market challenges, has acknowledged the difficulty of turning the company around, particularly as US-China trade tensions complicate the semiconductor landscape. — AFP

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We are living in an era where AI is used to generate fake images, spread slander or manipulate emotions 

EVERY day, millions of children and teenagers in the country use their smartphones to watch videos, chat, share stories or simply tap the ‘like’ button on social media platforms. 

Behind the laughter and entertainment offered in the virtual world lies content that they may not fully understand, including those with elements of violence, harassment, image manipulation and messaging that, little by little, can undermine and erode their self-confidence. 

This has fuelled growing concern among parents, who are no longer merely worried about how much time their children spend on gadgets, but also what they are watching, reading and absorbing online. 

The Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), which came into force in Malaysia on Jan 1, emerges against this backdrop of concern. 

This act aims to create a safer online environment, particularly for children and families, by setting clear responsibilities for online platform providers who, besides deleting content after it goes viral, must also detect, prevent and act more quickly on harmful content. 

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is used to generate fake images, spread slander or manipulate emotions, the enforcement of this act offers hope that the digital space can become safer and more humane. 

Siraj says ONSA sets out more proactive guidelines and is expected to address cyber user issues more effectively (pic: MEDIA MULIA)

Role of Platform Providers 

According to Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil, ONSA introduces a more systematic and prevention-oriented approach by clearly defining the role of digital platform providers in managing the risks posed by harmful content. 

He said this positions the act as a significant step forward in strengthening the protection of user rights and safety, grounded in the country’s digital legal sovereignty. 

“In protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children and teenagers, ONSA provides a stronger legal framework to curb exposure to sexual exploitation content, cyber harassment, image manipulation and extremist material that can have long-term effects on their psychological and social wellbeing. 

“Compared to existing laws that focus more on post-offence action, ONSA sets out more proactive guidelines and is expected to address cyber user issues more effectively. 

“Among the key issues it can tackle are the rapid spread of harmful content, failure to remove sensitive material within a reasonable timeframe, the rise in repeated cyber harassment cases and online child exploitation, which were previously difficult to curb due to legal and technical constraints,” he said. 

Siraj added that ONSA also opens the door to addressing new challenges related to the misuse of AI, particularly in the creation of fake or manipulative content that can harm individuals and society. 

“This approach reflects a shift from merely punishing offenders to building a safer digital system as a whole. 

“However, MCCA views the real effectiveness of ONSA as dependent on consistent enforcement, the capacity of regulatory institutions and the actual level of compliance by digital platforms, especially global platforms operating outside local jurisdictions,” he said. 

Commenting on the readiness aspect of digital platforms, he said the level of compliance, however, is still unbalanced between licensed and unlicensed platforms. 

Citing a recent case involving the misuse of AI on platform X, where images of women and children were manipulated to produce indecent, offensive and harmful content, Siraj said it clearly illustrated a digital governance gap that must be addressed urgently. 

“This issue is not merely an ethical violation but a serious threat to digital safety, individual dignity and social wellbeing, requiring firm and consistent action by authorities to ensure platform providers comply with established laws,” he said. 

Content control through age-based mechanisms is essential to filter out unsuitable material, says Noor Aishah (Pic courtesy of Noor Aishah’s Linkedin)

Excessive Exposure 

Meanwhile, CPC International Sdn Bhd MD and child psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli said excessive exposure to harmful online content risks disrupting children’s emotional and mental development, leaving lasting negative effects on their psychological health. 

She said children lack mature logical thinking and the ability to interpret information critically and often do not fully understand the consequences of what they watch online. 

“The main risks faced by children exposed to violent and aggressive videos include anxiety, excessive fear or worry. This can lead to nightmares; fear of being alone, even to the extent of needing someone to accompany them to the kitchen; and heightened panic. Watching violent or physically abusive content can also be deeply distressing for children and can cause psychological trauma,” she said. 

She added that children also face identity issues when they are unable to distinguish between fabricated content, such as acting or staged scenes and reality. 

For example, seeing well-dressed, heavily made-up children living lavish lifestyles on social media can lead to low self-esteem because they feel they cannot measure up. 

Noor Aishah also said uncontrolled exposure to online content can normalise the use of inappropriate language and high-risk behaviours, such as swearing and hitting and bullying others. 

She believes the implementation of ONSA could help reduce negative psychological impacts on minors by serving as an intervention or preventive measure to control exposure to content that is unsuitable for children’s mental health. 

“ONSA can help regulate what we call algorithms, so that inappropriate content is not easily accessible to underage users.

“The act can also create a much safer and better digital environment under regulatory oversight, while sending a clear message to parents that children’s safety in cyberspace is important, including in preventing mental health issues arising from uncontrolled use of technology,” she said. 

MCCA views the real effectiveness of ONSA as dependent on consistent enforcement, the capacity of regulatory institutions and the actual level of compliance by digital platforms (pic: MEDIA MULIA)

Age Limits Crucial 

Noor Aishah stressed that content control through age-based mechanisms is essential to filter out unsuitable material. 

“With just one click today, all kinds of content can appear…some beneficial, others harmful. Not everything is appropriate for five-, six- or 12-year-olds. Filtering is crucial, especially for minors (below 18), as their information-processing abilities differ from adults,” she said. 

According to her, in children, early signs of negative digital influence often begin with emotional and behavioural changes, such as becoming withdrawn, irritable, having difficulty sleeping, losing interest in studies or fearing social interaction. 

“In building resilience from a young age, the family is the primary line of defence. Parents can nurture emotional stability through affection, gentle communication and positive role modelling, even through simple gestures like saying ‘thank you’, expressing appreciation and spending more time with their children. 

“Balanced digital education and screen time limits and participation in outdoor and recreational activities together also help foster children’s mental wellbeing and a family that is healthy emotionally, mentally and physically,” she said. 

The challenge lies in its implementation within a digital environment that transcends national border, says Mohd Khairie (Source: experts.uum.edu.my)

Continuous Monitoring 

Sharing a similar view, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) School of Multimedia Technology and Communication dean and Advanced Communication Research Unit (ACRU) researcher Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Khairie Ahmad said the success of ONSA depends on platform operators’ compliance levels and the authorities’ ability to enforce the law consistently and transparently. 

“The law is strong in terms of its framework, but the real challenge lies in its implementation within a digital environment that transcends national borders,” he said. 

He explained that most major platforms operate globally, requiring cooperation among governments, online regulatory agencies and technology companies to ensure compliance with local legal requirements. 

According to Mohd Khairie, ONSA’s risk-prevention approach aligns with international practices such as the Online Safety Act 2021 (Australia), Online Safety Act 2023 (UK) and Digital Services Act (European Union [EU]), but demands technical expertise and a deep understanding of algorithms, content moderation systems and user behaviour patterns. 

“Enforcement must be supported by continuous monitoring, specialised digital training and ongoing dialogue with industry players. 

“In addition, media literacy and public communication are crucial to ensure society understands the role and limitations of ONSA and to avoid misconceptions that the act is intended to restrict digital freedom or freedom of expression,” he said. — Bernama

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

The post ONSA: Towards safer digital ecosystem, comprehensive protection for users appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.