Pepper Labs continues to upskill Malaysians in support of Malaysia’s ambition to become an AI-ready nation by 2030. Building on its ongoing efforts to strengthen AI literacy and competency across Malaysia, and having successfully reached over 350,000 learners so far, Pepper Labs has been selected as a local training provider under the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific Phase 2, an initiative by AVPN with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Pepper Labs will deliver AI upskilling aimed at equipping 50,000 Malaysians with practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills, offered at no cost to participants.
AVPN is the largest network of social investors in Asia, comprising over 700 diverse members across 43 markets. The initiative forms part of AVPN’s broader commitment to strengthening the region’s digital workforce by expanding access to AI skills development initiatives. The effort aims to build inclusive AI readiness across multiple sectors, targeting higher education students from universities, polytechnics, and community colleges, alongside educators, vocational trainers, and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs.
Selan Rajendran, Managing Director of Pepper Labs, said the recognition reflects the organisation’s commitment to expanding equitable access to emerging technologies.
“We are honoured to be selected as a partner of the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific. This recognition reinforces our commitment to expanding inclusive and high-impact AI opportunities, empowering Malaysians across diverse communities to thrive in an increasingly digital future,” he said.
Pepper Labs will deliver structured training designed to equip participants with practical AI knowledge and hands-on digital skills for today’s evolving workforce, including exposure to Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Applied AI. The initiative ensures that AI capabilities are accessible beyond the technology sector, benefiting communities across education, entrepreneurship and public service.
Educators, including school teachers, lecturers and vocational trainers, represent a key focus of the initiative. In partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), the initiative will equip educators and students with essential AI competencies, supporting the integration of these capabilities into teaching and learning environments and creating long-term impact for students and institutions.
The programme combines AWS’s global expertise in artificial intelligence and cloud technology with Pepper Labs’ strong community networks to expand AI learning opportunities for youth, students, women and rural communities across Malaysia.
Support from the Ministry of Communications will play an important role in enabling the nationwide rollout of the initiative, strengthening efforts to make AI education more inclusive and accessible while preparing communities for the evolving digital economy and future job landscape.
Participants will gain exposure to practical AI tools, ethical AI principles and real-world applications that support both personal development and potential income-generating opportunities.
The initiative builds on Pepper Labs’ ongoing collaborations with public and private sector partners to advance Malaysia’s digital readiness.
Recent partnerships, including collaborations with PERKESO to upskill unemployed graduates through digital learning programmes, reflect the organisation’s continued commitment to strengthening digital inclusion and supporting Malaysia’s broader socioeconomic development.
For more info, visit www.pepperlabs.my
Related articles:
Keedsflix Strengthens the Digital Islamic Education Revolution
SME Corp and PERNAS Lead UK Soft-Landing Programme (SLP)
Discussion about this post