CelcomDigi launches state-of-the-art AI experience centre

CelcomDigi has launched its AI Experience Centre (AiX). The one-stop immersive innovation and collaboration hub aims to lead, inspire and advance the creation of world-class digital solutions across a range of sector and verticals.

Supported by a wide ecosystem of leading global technology players and local partners, AiX will serve as a focal point for cross-industry collaborations and will leverage emerging technologies such as 5G, AI, extended reality (XR), robotics, analytics and metaverse.

It is also designed to spur rapid technology advancements and growth of new digital start-ups, enterprises and future skills to build a flourishing innovation ecosystem and fuel Malaysia's digital transformation.

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AiX will be located at CelcomDigi Hub in Subang Jaya's Hi-Tech Park. It will house two main inspiring spaces called 'The Infinity' and 'The Gallery'. 'The Infinity' is a space designed to provide visitors with immersive, interactive experiences of digital society simulations using cutting-edge audio-visual technology.

Meanwhile, 'The Gallery' space showcases a physical array of real-world industrial use-cases to display the transformative potential of emerging technologies key to enterprise growth. These respective simulations display a range of 5G and AI-powered technologies and robotics across eight verticals namely manufacturing, logistics, energy, fleet, port, healthcare, education and agritech. Of the 45 solutions featured within the eight verticals, 13 of them are live use cases being piloted with enterprises in Malaysia.

AiX also houses a collaborative space that serves as a cutting-edge live lab environment for interested parties - from startups to large-scale enterprises, and from academia to government - to co-create, test, and validate new solutions that pair 5G with other emerging technologies.

Launched by the minister of communications Fahmi Fadzil, AiX provides an immersive experience combining sight, sound and touch. It features real-world solutions ready for immediate deployment too.

AiX will also be home to AI-RA, an AI digital human and resident co-host of the centre's immersive tours. While AI-RA interacts with visitors and explains the diverse use cases on display, she is accompanied by a family of autonomous robotics who perform a diverse range of tasks including perimeter surveillance, delivery of goods, entertainment, and personal assistance, demonstrating the power of combining AI and robotics to improve convenience for work, life, and play.

Built on a model of constant evolution and partnership, the technology and showcases will be refreshed periodically to bring new experiences to visitors. These partners include Huawei, ZTE, AWS, Digital Nasional Berhad, Ericsson, Microsoft, SK Telecom, Softbank, Sumitomo and Yinson among others.

It is also set to be the epicentre of co-creation to enable rapid experimentation and development of new technology solutions for the market.

“Emerging technologies such as AI are revolutionising the world, and Malaysia must keep pace with this progress to build a flourishing digital nation. Over 1.5 years ago, we made a strong commitment to play a pivotal role to realise this ambition, leveraging our greater combined capabilities as a merged company to invest and drive digitalisation, innovation and sustainable growth for the nation," said CelcomDigi CEO Idham Nawawi.

Idham added that the AI Experience Centre is a realisation of the national benefit of the merger, where CelcomDigi’s scale and capabilities are able to attract and partner global and regional digital tech giants to accelerate the development of cutting-edge digital solutions. It also positions the company as a strong ally to the nation's digital aspirations, said Idham.

He also added that AiX emphasises the significance of a thriving innovation ecosystem to develop a robust digital society. For him, in the fast-paced era of digital everything, speed and ferocity of innovation is essential.

Therefore, AiX has been designed on a model of strong partnerships and constant evolution, enabling CelcomDigi to co-create use cases with great potential at an accelerated speed for Malaysia, explained Idham.

"Building with some of the most notable global tech and local ecosystem players, together we have invested RM55 million to support this ambition. We will continue to invest in the infrastructure, partnerships, and competencies needed to support Malaysia through the rapid tech changes around us. We are determined to spur digital transformations across industries and ensure the benefits of 5G, AI, and emerging technologies are realised for all Malaysians," said Idham.

In the last few months, Malaysia has seen major growth and developments in its tech industry. According to industry players A+M spoke to, Malaysia's tech hub ambitions are well on track.

"Malaysia’s tech hub ambitions are well on track, driven by aspects including investment success, data centre aspirations, our role in critical supply chains, and the country’s current position as a high-value digital global business services (GBS) hub," said Raymond Siva, head of digital investment office of MDEC.

According to Siva, Malaysia’s digital investment soared to RM46.22 billion in 2023, as contributed by 256 companies, with 53% in the information technology cluster. This in turn created 22,258 high-value jobs.

Serm Teck Choon, co-founder and CEO of Antsomi agrees, adding that AI-driven centres will play a prominent role in the future development of the digital economy.

“Malaysia offers more affordable lands and energy as key elements to build such data centres," said Serm, adding that Penang has also played an important role in the global chip manufacturing supply chain too.

"While the new government was formed in November 2022 and the politics have since stabilised, the restart of this ambition is inevitable while the digital economy is becoming increasingly important for national development globally," said Serm.

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