Malaysia Set to Attract US$40 Billion in AI Investment, Boosting Offshoring and Tech Talent Demand

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 – Malaysia is projected to secure more than US$40 billion (RM169.2 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) and data centre investments by 2030, positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s leading AI hub, according to new research by global talent solutions partner Robert Walters.

Driven by hyperscalers and global technology firms, this surge in capital is expected to significantly accelerate the nation’s high-value offshoring capabilities. Robert Walters forecasts sharp growth in hiring across cloud engineering, data centre operations, data science, analytics, and cybersecurity between 2025 and 2027.

AI Investment

“Our latest research underscores Malaysia’s rapidly evolving role as a strategic offshoring location,” said Phill Brown, Head of Market Intelligence at Robert Walters, adding that AI investments combined with strong talent pipelines would make Malaysia a prime destination for regional and global operations.

The expansion aligns with the government’s National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 and follows RM13.29 billion in approved AI investments in the first half of 2025, expected to create nearly 7,000 jobs. Much of the growth is centred in Negeri Sembilan High Tech Industrial Park, now a hub for AI development.

Experts note that Malaysia’s strengths in English proficiency, technical expertise, and knowledge-based services further enhance its global competitiveness.

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