IEEE SA CertifAIEd™ Authorized Assessor Training: SIRIM Academy (Malaysia) – Participant Stories – Part 3

Welcome to the third entry in our blog series, “IEEE SA CertifAIEd™ Authorized Assessor Training: SIRIM Academy (Malaysia) – Participant Stories”.

In this series, we share inspiring stories and experiences of professionals who have recently undergone our IEEE CertifAIEd™ Authorized Assessor training. We believe that hearing directly from these professionals can provide valuable insights and motivation.

Below, you’ll find testimonials from a Deputy Director of Digital Demand Creation Department at MCMC, Malaysia.

Firdaus Azman: Can you introduce yourself? 

Mr. Ismail: I am Athari Ismail, the Deputy Director or Senior Executive at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Digital Demand Creation department.

I oversee adoptions of artificial intelligence (AI), introduce programs and initiatives, and collaborate with external stakeholders. Especially in developing policies and governance frameworks on both national and international platforms.

I am currently helping the development of an AI Code of Ethics for the Communications and Multimedia industry. Additionally, I am actively involved in several high-profile committees and work groups focusing on AI ethics.

I am a permanent member for various high-level advisory body on AI convened by the Malaysian government and international bodies. Such as the Joint Coordination Action by the United Nations (UN) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

From 2022 till 2023, I contributed and took part in the development of an AI international governance for ASEAN.

Presently, I am an active member for an ISO work group – subcommittee of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) for ISO. Where we are standardizing AI use cases and applications on behalf of Malaysia.

My various involvements (beyond his role as the Deputy Director) have given me broad perspectives on ethical challenges and opportunities in AI. Especially with my recent training on IEEE CertifAIEd™ Authorized Assessor programme. Where the training had further enriched my knowledge in this area.

Firdaus Azman: What have you gained from the training? 

Mr. Ismail: The IEEE CertifAIEd™ training had provided me with invaluable experience. To start, the training provided me with a comprehensive framework for assessing the ethical aspects of AI systems. Where I gained a deeper understanding through the lessons on criteria suites.

The interdisciplinary approach of the training (guided by the criteria suites) and training from AI Ethics experts have equipped me with the necessary tools to critically evaluate and ensure ethical deployment of AI technologies.

And as I have mentioned, my portfolios on creating AI policies and governance frameworks, benefitted from this training. I can see how the CertifAIEd™ programme aligns with upcoming regulation and positions me to stay ahead in the field of AI Ethics.
So I find the training particularly relevant to my current work at MCMC (and beyond), as we are developing the AI Code of Ethics for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia industry.

The knowledge and framework provided by CertifAIEd™ are instrumental because it focuses on ethical governance. Aligning perfectly with our current objective of ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI developments.

Just to give you an example on how I have applied the concept learned through CertifAIEd™, I am now able to effectively assess ethicality of AI based products and systems, in terms of identifying potential biases and advocate for stronger privacy and security measures.

Additionally, the training has also enhanced my ability to engage stakeholders and guide industries towards ethical AI practice.

Firdaus Azman:  How do you find yourself applying the training in your work?

Mr. Ismail: One specific application of this training in my work is in the development of the AI Code of Ethics for the Communications and Multimedia industry.

It gave me a way of building potential frameworks and assessment tools that we may integrate into the code. Not directly but adapting what we have learned from CertifAIEd™ into the development of the code.

For example, the criteria suites can be used to evaluate existing AI applications for the industries. Where we may benchmark the current AI ethics practice with IEEE CertifAIEd™’s framework.

Additionally, the training insight into the suites (privacy and accountability) are helpful in helping us shape policies that protect user data and ensure responsible AI usage.

For a regulatory body overseeing the Communications and Multimedia industry, we have to look into different stakeholders’ interests. The training that we had allowed us to explore this, by looking at the interest of users and consumers.

The Concept of Operations (ConOps) allowed us to map and explore stakeholders according to an AIS context. And it also made us assess every dimension and spectrum of risk involved in the AIS context and ecosystem. 

Firdaus Azman: What are some of the IEEE CertifAIEd™ training benefits that you see for Malaysia and Southeast Asia?

Mr. Ismail: From my perspective, the vision that we should have for AI ethics in Malaysia and Southeast Asia is to establish a comprehensive and adaptable framework that can guide ethical development and deployment of AI across various sectors.

As you know, different sectors have different AI strategies, deployment, and also adoption. Which is one of the reasons that we are developing and introducing an AI Code of Ethics for Communications and Multimedia industry.

That is to pursue continuous collaborations with national and international bodies that aligns with our own standards and global best practices. Which is also a way for us to foster an environment where innovation thrives alongside ethical considerations.

These are also important factors when it comes to governing emerging technologies such as AI. In the Malaysian context, we are also looking at ways to ensure AI technologies contribute positively to economic growth and societal welfare.

I am personally committed to strengthening the Malaysian public awareness and understanding of AI Ethics, through which we would be able to promote trust and transparency in AI systems among users.

Lastly, the vision that I mentioned earlier can perhaps be realized by adopting frameworks such as IEEE CertifAIEd™, because of its ability to strengthen our envisioned ecosystem. 

Firdaus Azman: How do you go about pursuing public awareness?

Mr. Ismail: I would say this relates to my previous involvement in the Malaysian blockchain and AI committee. Where there was a need of us not being left behind in creating public awareness and ethical adoption. In response to this need, we introduced guidelines, but we did so in a careful manner to not stifle creativity and growth of the ecosystem.

In response to this question, we may perhaps explore ways of educating the public at an early level. Especially on how to be responsible in using AI technology in the Communications and Multimedia industry.

I am aware that there are a lot of challenges out there on AI, especially with the social media, deep fake, and tools to violate copyright or infringes copyright. Which may also be addressed by early education. For example, from the school up to university levels, incorporating some the ethos that are included in IEEE CertifAIEd™ framework.

About the Training:

The IEEE SA CertifAIEd™ Authorized Assessor Malaysia training program was conducted from May 13th to 17th, 2024. It involved 25 professionals from notable academic institutions, government agencies, and major private companies in Malaysia.

The program benefited from active collaboration between Malaysia’s SIRIM Academy, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEE SA), and Verdas AI.

United by a common interest in pursuing ethical AI practice and certification, these professionals spent four days in training followed by one day for the exam, which tested their knowledge of the IEEE CertifAIEd framework.

If you are interested in promoting ethical AI practices and becoming a certified assessor, visit our training website by clicking the button below for more information and to sign up for our next training session. Together, we can responsibly shape the development and integration of AI systems.