Malaysia’s careful and transparent approach to integrating AI in government has drawn international attention, with Bloomberg columnist Catherine Thorbecke suggesting that Elon Musk and the US government could learn from it.
While Malaysia is gradually introducing AI tools to assist civil servants, Thorbecke argues that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been recklessly pushing AI automation with little public oversight.
Malaysia takes a structured approach to AI in government
In her opinion piece, Thorbecke highlighted that Malaysia recently announced plans to implement Google’s Gemini AI tools for nearly 445,000 civil servants, aiming to improve efficiency in tasks such as policy drafting, data analysis, and public engagement.
Unlike many countries that rush AI adoption, Malaysia has taken a step-by-step approach.
Before rolling out Google’s AI to 445,000 workers, Malaysia conducted a smaller test run. Officials are also working on public sector AI adaptation guidelines, expected to be released later this month,” she wrote.
Rather than replacing civil servants, Malaysia’s strategy focuses on enhancing productivity while maintaining human oversight—a stark contrast to the chaotic AI-driven restructuring seen in other governments.
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AI’s flaws remain a concern
Thorbecke also noted that despite Malaysia’s cautious strategy, AI’s limitations and reliability issues cannot be ignored.
Shortly after Malaysia’s announcement, Google’s Super Bowl ad featuring Gemini AI was widely criticized for generating false information about cheese consumption.
However, she stated that Malaysia’s commitment to transparency and gradual implementation helps mitigate some of these risks, unlike governments that blindly trust AI without clear oversight.
Elon Musk’s DOGE approach lacks transparency
In contrast to Malaysia’s structured approach, Musk’s DOGE initiative in the US has been criticized for its secrecy.
The department, which aims to use AI to cut government inefficiencies, has been accused of operating without clear guidelines and making sweeping changes without public input.
Musk has attempted to defend DOGE’s actions through updates on X, but without proper transparency, critics argue that delegating government functions to AI without accountability could lead to dangerous consequences.
Malaysia proves AI must be used responsibly
Thorbecke emphasized that while AI can be useful in government, it is not yet ready to replace human decision-making.
Writing new policies, defending them to the public, and implementing them still requires immense human judgment,” she stated.
Malaysia’s approach, though not without risks, prioritizes responsible AI use.
By keeping humans in control, Malaysia is proving that AI can enhance productivity without sacrificing accountability,” she added.
As more governments explore AI adoption, Malaysia’s balanced and transparent strategy could serve as a model for AI governance, showing that rushing AI into policymaking without proper oversight is a recipe for disaster.
