Kuala Lumpur, 11 September 2025 — The First ASEAN-China Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference was successfully convened at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, jointly organized by the Institute of Engineering and Management Training Academy (IEMTA) and Kuala Lumpur University of Science and Technology (KLUST). Themed “Intelligence, Inclusivity, and Sustainability: AI Driving Regional Innovation and High-Quality Development,” the conference brought together more than 300 distinguished delegates, including senior government officials from China and Malaysia, global corporate leaders, industry experts, policy advisors, innovation pioneers, and members of the academic community.
Over the course of two days, the conference featured plenary sessions, keynote addresses, and thematic forums. Participants engaged in substantive exchanges on emerging trends, strategic perspectives, and innovative applications of artificial intelligence, underscoring their shared commitment to advancing technological innovation and enhancing cross-border collaboration in AI-driven industries.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Puan Teo Nie Ching, who emphasized Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to strengthening research, design, and innovation in artificial intelligence. She highlighted the transformative impact of next-generation technologies on social development, while also pointing to new challenges in digital governance. In particular, she cited the Artificial Intelligence Fast-Check Assistant (AIFA) as a pioneering innovation in information verification, offering a robust model for building a secure and trustworthy digital ecosystem. She stressed that the success of the conference exemplifies the potential of AI to enhance governance efficiency and foster a comprehensive platform for ASEAN-China cooperation.
Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, Mr. Zheng Xuefang, also delivered an address, affirming that AI has emerged as a central driver of regional innovation and high-quality development. He noted the extensive opportunities for collaboration between China and ASEAN in the field of AI and commended the conference as a pivotal platform for transnational cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the integration of intelligent industries. He expressed confidence that such high-level dialogues would inject sustained momentum into the creation of a regional digital community with a shared future.
During the proceedings, Professor Chen Xiaoyun, Chairman of KLUST’s Board of Directors and Chairman of Star Teenagers International Group, was conferred the Outstanding Contribution Award for ASEAN–China International Educational Cooperation and Cultural Exchange. The award citation recognized his enduring contributions to fostering educational innovation, cultural exchange, youth talent development, and regional cooperation in AI, thereby deepening the people-to-people ties between ASEAN and China. His leadership has established new platforms for mutual learning, knowledge exchange, and collaborative growth for both students and educators.
KLUST President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ts. Dr. David Ngo Chek Ling, said that AI has become deeply embedded in daily life, from autonomous mobility solutions to AI-enabled pedagogical innovations. He underscored that the intrinsic value of AI lies not in replacing human capabilities, but in fostering effective human–machine collaboration. He reiterated that AI development must remain grounded in the principle of serving humanity to ensure a human-centered and ethically responsible intelligent society. Citing practical applications such as AI-powered taxi services in Wuhan and digital innovations at DBS Bank, he illustrated how AI is strengthening enterprise capabilities and service delivery.
The conference also witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between KLUST and prominent organizations, including the Machinery & Engineering Industries Federation (MEIF), ASEAN Engineering Inspector for Mechanical & Manufacturing (AEI-MM), Malaysia Association of Sustainable Supply Chain & Innovation (MASSCI), ISoftStone Education, Artificial Intelligence International Institute (AIII), ASEAN Federation of Smart Industry, Academy of Engineering & Technology of the Developing World, Intrisic SEA, and MSM International Ltd. These agreements reaffirm KLUST’s commitment to advancing cross-border cooperation and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise. Looking forward, KLUST is strategically strengthening its focus on frontier technologies through the introduction of advanced doctoral programs in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science and Intelligent Systems and Smart Manufacturing. These initiatives aim to cultivate world-class AI talent and position Malaysia as a regional hub for AI education and innovation. Building on the momentum of this landmark conference, KLUST will continue to deepen collaborative research with China and ASEAN member states, thereby advancing the regional AI ecosystem toward a new era of excellence.