Digital Ministry Drafting AI Governance Bill to Combat Deepfakes
The Digital Ministry is in the process of formulating an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill, which is set to be presented in Parliament this year. This initiative aims to tackle the rising challenges posed by advanced technological threats, particularly the misuse of deepfake technology.
Importance of a Legal Framework
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo emphasized the necessity of establishing a robust and comprehensive legal framework to regulate AI-generated content. This framework is crucial for safeguarding information integrity and ensuring the ongoing security of the country’s digital ecosystem.
Key Elements of the Bill
Among the essential components of this Bill is the focus on accountability. This involves the creation of clear responsibilities for entities that develop or deploy AI systems. Technology providers will be mandated to implement proactive risk management measures and take appropriate steps to prevent harm to the public.
During a recent session at the Dewan Rakyat, Gobind Singh highlighted that enforcement actions could be initiated under the proposed law in instances of negligence, particularly when AI systems are misused for fraudulent activities or pose threats to national security.
Reporting Mechanism for AI-related Incidents
The Bill will also introduce a mechanism for reporting AI-related incidents and harms, especially to counter the escalating sophistication of deepfake threats. This reporting mechanism is vital as it enables the government to swiftly and systematically identify threat patterns.
With clearer and more organized information, mitigation and preventive actions can be implemented immediately, preventing potential escalation and wider impacts.
Cyber Crime Bill and Data Security Initiatives
In addition to the AI Governance Bill, the government is drafting a new Cyber Crime Bill to replace the Computer Crimes Act 1997. This proposed legislation will include specific provisions addressing the misuse of AI in cybercriminal activities, such as digital identity theft and the creation of malicious deepfake content.
On the topic of data security, Gobind Singh announced that CyberSecurity Malaysia is nearing completion of the National Digital Trust and Data Security Strategy 2026–2030, which aims to bolster public confidence in the country’s digital environment.
Establishment of a Data Commission
As a proactive measure, the ministry is also planning to establish a Data Commission as an independent regulatory body to protect national data sovereignty. Furthermore, the development of local digital forensic capabilities in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is in progress and is expected to be finalized by the end of this year.
