By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 – The Selangor government has launched a three-year artificial intelligence (AI) initiative in collaboration with Google Cloud Malaysia (Google Cloud) to develop AI-driven solutions for state administration.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the first phase of the project, known as Teraju AI, will cost RM5 million and serve as the foundation for AI adoption in state governance.
The initiative was initially introduced as the AI Trailblazers programme during the tabling of the 2025 Selangor Budget last November.
The programme has since been refined and expanded into a structured AI adoption plan to enhance productivity and data accuracy, beginning with 11 government agencies, including the Selangor State Assembly.
“At the heart of this initiative is a problem-solving approach, where each department will identify at least one bottleneck and work with Google’s experts to develop a minimum viable product using AI,” he said at the launch event at Google’s office, here today.
Amirudin said the ultimate goal of Teraju AI is to provide public access to the system, allowing for greater transparency and efficiency in government services.
“This is also to ensure that the data presented to the public are accurate and verified to avoid misinformation and hoaxes. This will be one of the benefits of AI adoption apart from improving government services,’’ he said.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Google Cloud and the Selangor government, through the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC), will also establish an AI Industry Incubator to support startups in Selangor.
[caption id="attachment_394653" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari (second from right) at the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Google Cloud Malaysia and the Selangor government via the Selangor Technical Skills and Development Centre (STDC) at the Google office, Kuala Lumpur, on March 24, 2025. With him are (from left) Google Cloud Malaysia country manager Hana Raja, Google Cloud Malaysia and Singapore country director Serene Sia, Google Cloud Asean public sector strategic pursuits head Raja Azmi Adam, STDC board chairman Nazri Noh, and Selangor State Secretary Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
The incubator will provide learning, development, and scalability resources, catering to various small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) growth phases.
Amirudin stated that the programme prioritises safe and ethical AI use while ensuring data privacy and cybersecurity.
“We are not merely consumers of technology. We must become creators and innovators to ensure AI benefits society without deepening inequalities,” he said.
He also noted that successful participants from the 11 agencies would receive certification from Google Cloud upon completing the programme.
Those who fail to do so will be required to pay the full training fees.
Meanwhile, in her welcoming remarks, Google Cloud Malaysia and Singapore country director Serene Sia said the tech giant already has a deep affinity with the Selangor administration.
She said its data centre is being built in Elmina Business Park, and numerous social programmes are ongoing to ensure local communities benefit from its presence.
She said launching the initiative today further deepens Google’s relationship with Selangor, as it helps the state adopt AI solutions to improve government services.
“Google is committed to serving the communities near our data centres. As part of this, we have initiated a restoration project to improve Taman Aman Lake’s water quality and biodiversity.
“We have also invested in the Future Skills for All programme to equip 61,000 students in Selangor with digital skills vital for the jobs of tomorrow.
“We thank the state government for its continued support across all today’s initiatives, which will strengthen Selangor’s position as the leading tech, innovation, and talent hub in Southeast Asia,” she said.
On February 5, the Federal government also announced its partnership with Google on AI adoption with its AI at Work 2.0 initiative.
The programme focuses on equipping 445,000 civil servants with Google Workspace’s generative AI capabilities through a nationwide programme under Malaysia’s National AI Office.
Launched by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, AI at Work 2.0 is part of a five-year GovTech plan to enhance public service delivery across agencies.
In contrast, Selangor’s Teraju AI is a state-level initiative to address local administrative inefficiencies.
