As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes every industry, the demand for a future-ready, AI-literate workforce has never been greater. According to the World Economic Forum, AI is expected to create 97 million new jobs globally by 2025, yet a significant talent gap persists—particularly in emerging economies like Malaysia. A 2023 Microsoft-IDC report highlights that over 83% of Malaysian businesses are accelerating AI adoption, but over 70% face challenges in finding skilled talent.

"Empowering Tomorrow: AI, Skills, and Global Competence" explores how academia and industry can collaborate to bridge this gap. The first ever ICT Academy BRIDGE at Malaysia convenes educators, policymakers, and business text-pers to address education transformation, workforce upskilling, and global certification pathways. The focus is on equipping youth with cutting-edge AI skills while nurturing the soft skills and global mindset needed to thrive in a borderless, technology-driven economy. This event is a vital step toward positioning Malaysia as a regional AI talent hub.