- Pepper Labs to train 50,000 Malaysians in AI under regional initiative
- Program supported by AVPN Google.org and Asian Development Bank
- Focus on students educators and MSMEs for inclusive AI growth
Pepper Labs has been selected as a local training provider under the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific Phase 2, a regional initiative led by AVPN with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank. The collaboration aims to equip 50,000 Malaysians with practical artificial intelligence skills, offered free of cost, as part of the country’s broader ambition to become an AI-ready nation by 2030.
Building on its ongoing efforts, Pepper Labs has already reached over 350,000 learners across Malaysia, strengthening AI literacy and digital competency. With this new mandate, the organisation will deliver structured and hands-on training programs covering emerging areas such as Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Applied AI. The initiative is designed to ensure that AI capabilities are not confined to the technology sector but are accessible across education, entrepreneurship, and public services.
The program targets a wide and inclusive audience, including university and polytechnic students, community college learners, educators, vocational trainers, and micro, small and medium enterprise entrepreneurs. As part of the rollout, Pepper Labs will collaborate with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education to integrate AI competencies into teaching and learning frameworks, enabling long-term institutional impact.
Additionally, in partnership with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, the initiative will support MSMEs by introducing practical AI tools that enhance productivity, improve competitiveness, and strengthen digital readiness. This dual focus on education and enterprise reflects a broader effort to build a resilient and future-ready workforce.
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Regionally, Pepper Labs is one of 18 organisations selected under Phase 2 of the program, contributing to a larger mission of expanding AI access to underserved communities across Asia-Pacific. The partnership further reinforces Pepper Labs’ growing role in AI talent development and positions it as a key collaborator for both public and private sector transformation initiatives in Malaysia.
