Malaysia to Provide Free AI Subscription Access for Youth

The Malaysian government plans to provide free artificial intelligence (AI) subscription access for young people aged 18 to 30, in a bid to boost the country’s AI development capabilities. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement during his speech at the AI Malaysia Launch event in Selangor on Tuesday. “We want to ensure that this AI for the People programme, which is free for those aged 18 to 30, opens on 31 August 2026, coinciding with Malaysia’s Independence Day,” Anwar Ibrahim said. He stressed that the use of AI and the AI information campaign for the people must be elevated as a priority. “The AI for the People method must involve offering free access and subscriptions to AI software for young people who complete course modules under the Digital People programme. This is a new announcement,” he said. “For the 18 to 30 age group, the Ministry of Digital will prepare the course modules. We are providing AI software for free on the condition that they follow the specially designed course modules,” Anwar explained. The modules will cover AI security, cyber security, agentic AI, generative AI, and cloud computing for the people. “So, young people who complete the relevant AI courses will receive a free three-month subscription to leading AI applications. This is a starting point to encourage the youth. But the condition is, take the course first. Make sure you pass, and of course the course is easy because the government wants to encourage participation,” he said. Malaysia is determined to become an AI-based nation. The country has already established the National AI Office under the Ministry of Digital, tasked with realising Malaysia as an AI-driven country.