Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim inaugurated the Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Nexus 2024 (MY AI NEXUS) in Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, on 10 May 2024. This landmark event, co-hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), brought together key figures from artificial intelligence (AI), academia, business, government, and other interested parties, underlining the crucial role of AI in Malaysia's future.
From left, Mrs Nor Hafizah Abdullah, UM Director of Corporate Communications Centre, Associate Professor Ts Dr Aznul Qalid Md Sabri, Founder of Fylix Sdn. Bhd. and a researcher from the UM Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Professor Ir Dr Kaharudin Dimyati, UM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research & Innovation, Professor Dato' Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, UM Vice-Chancellor, Mr Kheeshyenraaj Murugan, a former UM student who worked on SLDS project, and on the right is Professor Ir Dr Ramesh Singh Kuldip Singh, UM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Development during My AI Nexus.
Honorary Minister of Higher Education YB Dato' Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was also in attendance. YB Dato' Seri stressed the need to improve the research and innovation ecosystem and the environment that will enable the adoption of artificial intelligence in universities. Forming the Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Consortium (MAI Consortium), a key player in the event, was a step in the right direction.
The MAI Consortium brings Malaysian universities, government organisations, and private companies together. Its goals are improving AI, fostering cooperation and information sharing, and increasing innovation and impact. Education and capacity development, industry acceptance, speeding up progress, and idea cross-pollination are the metrics by which its importance is assessed.
This program is in line with the goals of the AI Talent Strategic Initiative, a crucial part of the Malaysia AI Roadmap 2021–2025. The initiative aims to address the need for 200,000 AI talents nationwide by providing inclusive and comprehensive AI education, thereby fostering the growth of the AI industry in Malaysia.
A Revolutionary Approach by the Universiti Malaya
Associate Professor Ts Dr Aznul Qalid Md Sabri explained the development of SLDS to UM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman who visited the UM booth.
At MY AI NEXUS exhibition event, Fylix Sdn. Bhd. founded by Associate Professor Ts Dr Aznul Qalid Md Sabri, a researcher from the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya, introduced their technology called Smart Light Detection System (SLDS), and it was a standout display. The SLDS system is an automated light configuration inspection that is not just a technological advancement but a game-changer for quality control in the automobile industry. This cutting-edge solution, installed in PERODUA's Rawang, Selangor, manufacturing site, works seamlessly with other systems to provide consistent, high-quality output, marking a significant shift in the industry's quality control practices.
Figure 1 shows SLDS interface being deployed at PERODUA’s QC line to detect and recognize lights configuration for a PERODUA ARUZ |
Figure 2 SLDS is able to detect and recognize some of the lights are not functioning properly |
The SLDS is a testament to Malaysia's creative potential in improving manufacturing technology, which can identify diverse light configurations for various car types using cutting-edge AI technologies like You Only Look Once (YOLO) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Its key advantages include automatically recognising various car light combinations and receiving real-time feedback, thereby revolutionising quality control in the automobile industry. This system vividly demonstrates AI's role in boosting production efficiency and quality.
The Pioneers in Artificial Intelligence SLDS System
Under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Ts Dr Aznul, the SLDS project is a shining example of a productive partnership between academia and industry. The team members, Cheng Leyhang, Jeevan Pillai, Kheeshyenraaj Murugan, and Dr Hairul Nizam Md Nasir, along with Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sendirian Berhad (PERODUA), have collaborated to bring this revolutionary technique to life, highlighting the power of collaboration in advancing artificial intelligence technologies in Malaysia's manufacturing industry.
This revolutionary technique was introduced in a 5-minute presentation by the project leader that explained the specification of the SLDS technology deployed at Perodua’s QC line, market growth potential and industry players involved, highlighting the collaborative efforts to enhance artificial intelligence technologies in Malaysia's industry.
An Extraordinary Event
As the author of this article, I did not have the chance to attend the Malaysian Artificial Intelligence Nexus in person, but the reports of those who did have left a lasting impact. According to their accounts, connecting with renowned specialists and obtaining firsthand knowledge of innovative advances such as SLDS was fascinating. The event demonstrated the rapid advancement and innovation in AI, notably via talks and demonstrations of technology such as SLDS. Hearing about these experiences has revived my interest in AI's potential and motivated me to investigate its future implications via educated study and reporting.
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Aznul Qalid Md Sabri, the lead of the SLDS project, may be contacted at aznulqalid@um.edu.my or his UM profile https://umexpert.um.edu.my/aznulqalid for more information and potential academic collaborations
Author:
Ms Tan Wei Nie
With a keen interest, Tan Wei Nie, a PhD candidate in law, enriches her studies by fusing science with narrative, uncovering connections between the two fields. Her passion for nature and staying active fuels her enthusiasm for life and learning, infusing her journey with unexpected thrills and excitement.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
Comments