- 56.8 % think service providers should also accept responsibility for online safety.
- Private dilemma: despite user privacy concerns, convenience is still a top priority.
This study provides a useful snapshot of Malaysians ‘ existing digital behaviors and attitudes, which can serve as a resource for policymakers, organizations, and individuals on emerging growth opportunities and strategies to create a smarter and safer electronic future. Hkon Bruaset Kjl, SVP mind of investment management and assistant Director of Telenor Asia, said.
Hkon was speaking in KL yesterday when Telenor Asia released its report, which examines how wireless connectivity is creating safer and smarter lives in Malaysia, as well as a thorough analysis of how relational AI is used and used. It has released the record for the next time since its first release in October 2022.
The statement is based on a study that Telenor Asia’s research firm, GWI, was asked to carry out in August 2024. GWI has a collection of over 22 million online users worldwide, and selected 17, 117 Indonesian computer users for its monthly studies with questions remaining the same from Q3 and Q4 2023, and Q1 and Q2 2024. This sample size was designated as the” GWI core.”  ,
Relying on GWI’s recontact methodology, 1, 004 Malaysian respondents ( aged 16-64 ) were interviewed from June 24 to July 13 2024. Respondents who have completed the core survey within the previous year can be contacted again using GWI’s recontact method to request more surveys.
AI in Indonesian culture
Three out of four people who responded have used AI in their everyday lives already have one, which is encouraging in terms of its impact on society.
“Education is one of the areas we are most enthusiastic about, because the use of AI in schooling suggests a pretty strong potential for it to perform a crucial role in making education more accessible and adaptable to individual learning wants,” Hön said.
More than 1 in 2 Malaysians ( 55 % ) are excited about the possibilities and efficiency that AI can bring to their daily lives, with a significant focus on its ability to solve problems, the way research is conducted, and created.
But, people’s faith in AI-generated information is divided, especially with economic and health guidance, inviting incredulity.  ,
Growing amounts of user data will be collected as Malaysia moves toward a future in which AI-integrated products will automate tasks and provide highly personalized activities. So, Malaysian respondents highlight concerns about possible misuse of private data and the spread of misinformation and emphasize responsible use and building trust.  ,
According to the investigation, people need to have faith in the online world to maximize the advantages of digital technologies. When it comes to establishing this respect and providing people with knowledge and tools to better defend themselves website, organizations and individuals have a shared accountability.
Who’s accountable for online security- the consumer or the government?
Nearly two-thirds ( 66 % ) of Malaysian respondents agree that the government is ultimately in charge of ensuring online safety, which is in line with public demands for more stringent regulatory oversight. This is demonstrated by the clear message that responsibility does not lie with users.  ,  ,
Service providers, such as businesses and telecoms companies, are also seen as essential people, particularly for the older years.  ,
Telenor has also taken initiative by contributing and adopting the telco-centric roadmap framework called the Global System for Mobile Communications Association ( GSMA ) responsible AI maturity roadmap. Its affiliated businesses, such as Axiata Bhd, have even adopted it.
Telenor has also signed the EU AI Act, making the voluntary commitment to begin formulating requirements prior to the date.
Kulani Kulasingam, privacy and compliance director of Telenor Asia said,” We collaborate to share knowledge and lead implementation, establishing ourselves as a thought leader in this space, our goal is to build global norms well before the act comes into effect” , ,
This implies that we have developed a set of rules for ourselves that serve as guardrails for the way we want to develop AI use situations, and that you must first establish them in advance or it will be too soon when you begin to deploy, according to Hkon.
Women’s opinions on who is accountable for paving the way to a safer practice are still divided. More than half ( 56.8 % ) of people think service providers should also bear responsibility for online safety, while only half ( 47.1 % ) think that self-responsibility is a top priority.  ,
Håkon said,” It is clear that a collaborative approach to online safety is needed, by prioritising education, awareness, and holding high standards around responsible technology, together we can create a more secure digital landscape that empowers all Malaysians to thrive confidently in the digital age” . ,
The private paradox
A large majority of Malaysians are actively improving the security on their mobile devices or have plans to do so in the future, with 97 % using at least one protection feature, such as using private browsing style, an ad-blocker, or VPN.
Almost 4 in 10 Malaysians are still concerned about how companies use their personalized data online despite the widespread use of private tools. Online security has remained the exact level of concern for the past five years, according to  ,  ,
People still want pleasure in living in an AI-connected world because they are aware of how AI can make a smarter and safer world.  ,
As much as those who are concerned about their data privacy when considering AI plugins are also more likely to think that AI may improve the efficiency of their mobile devices and get excited about the potential benefits it may offer.
1 in 2 Malay anticipate that AI clever devices will provide better stability and better data privacy settings, while 55 % believe that AI can improve mobile efficiency.  ,
This highlights a privacy paradox: people care about their privacy but are n’t willing to give up the comforts of allowing technology to track them.  ,  ,  ,
Despite this, there are serious concerns about digital threats, with financial fraud being the most pressing issue, followed by identification theft, data breaches, and heavy fakes. 3 in 4 also worry about the safety of their virtual accounts, and 2 in 3 also believe they lack control over their personal information.  ,
Phishing is also a shared concern, especially among Generation Z ( aged 16-27 ).
Malaysians actively work to enhance virtual security
Hkon is optimistic that the advantages of wireless connectivity outweigh the drawbacks, pointing out ways that AI can benefit culture in the future.
The benefits clearly outweigh the risks, according to the review, which Malaysians claim are usually aware of.
Indonesian interviewees value being able to stay in touch with loved ones, having easy access to information, having fun in their own lives, and experiencing increased productivity and efficiency in their day-to-day lives. Additionally, they feel more secure using a cellular phone.  ,
The top benefit, followed by features like GPS and navigation apps that aid in avoiding dangerous areas and sharing their location with family and friends, is the ability to quickly call for assistance in emergencies, according to 70 %.  ,
Women appear to prioritize online safety and security as important as the convenience of the cellular phone, placing a premium on safe mobile payments and security features that safeguard personal information, while people appear to prioritize sharing their physical locations.  ,
