IRM meets Penang deputy chief minister on AI governance and skills

The Institute of Risk Management met Penang Deputy Chief Minister II YB Jagdeep Singh Deo in London to discuss how risk management, governance and professional training can support Malaysia’s push in AI, advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. IRM also agreed to visit Penang for the AI Horizon event in October as it expands its regional presence in ASEAN.

Why it matters: - Malaysia is investing more in AI, digital infrastructure and skills development, and the country’s growth plans will depend on governance and resilience as new technologies spread. - Penang’s role as a technology and semiconductor hub makes the discussion relevant to one of Asia’s key manufacturing centers. - Better risk management can help organizations adopt AI in ways that are responsible, resilient and sustainable.

What happened: - The Institute of Risk Management met YB Jagdeep Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang, in London. - IRM Chair Stephen Sidebottom, Chief Executive Dr Ian Livsey and Commercial Director Sarah Atkins joined the meeting. - The discussion focused on how professional risk management can support Malaysia’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation. - IRM agreed to visit Penang and take part in the AI Horizon event in October.

The details: - The meeting covered AI governance, operational resilience and the professional skills needed to support Malaysia’s innovation agenda. - The parties discussed collaboration between government, academia and industry. - The collaboration would support internationally recognized education and professional certification in AI Risk Management, Operational Risk and Enterprise Risk Management. - Jagdeep Singh Deo’s portfolio includes Human Capital, Science, Technology and Innovation. - IRM recently established IRM Asia Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur as its regional hub for ASEAN. - The regional hub supports partnerships, professional education and HRD Corp-funded training across Malaysia. - IRM said its wider work across Asia is aimed at helping governments, industry and academia build the skills and governance capacity needed for responsible AI adoption and sustainable economic growth. - IRM is also active on LinkedIn: the institute’s social page.

Between the lines: - The meeting signals that risk management is becoming a core part of the AI conversation, not just a back-office compliance issue. - IRM is positioning itself as a regional partner for public-sector and industry efforts tied to AI governance and workforce development. - Penang’s technology base gives the conversations practical weight, especially for sectors where operational failure or weak controls could slow innovation.

What's next: - IRM will visit Penang for the AI Horizon event in October. - Further discussions are likely to focus on responsible AI adoption, governance and professional capability. - IRM’s ASEAN hub in Kuala Lumpur is likely to support more training and partnership activity across Malaysia.

The bottom line: - Malaysia’s AI ambitions now include a clear emphasis on the governance and risk skills needed to make innovation durable.