IRM meets Penang deputy chief minister on AI governance and resilience

The Institute of Risk Management met Penang Deputy Chief Minister II YB Jagdeep Singh Deo in London to discuss how risk management, AI governance and professional training can support Malaysia’s push in technology and semiconductor innovation. IRM also agreed to visit Penang and take part in the AI Horizon event in October.

Why it matters: - Malaysia is pushing to expand its role in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation. - The discussion centered on how trusted governance and risk management can help AI adoption stay responsible, resilient and sustainable. - Penang’s technology and semiconductor base makes the state a key testing ground for those ambitions.

What happened: - The Institute of Risk Management met YB Jagdeep Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang, in London. - IRM Chair Stephen Sidebottom, Chief Executive Dr Ian Livsey and Commercial Director Sarah Atkins joined the meeting. - The talks focused on AI governance, operational resilience and building professional skills for Malaysia’s innovation agenda.

The details: - YB Jagdeep Singh Deo’s portfolio covers Human Capital, Science, Technology and Innovation. - The meeting examined how effective risk management can support innovation and strengthen organisational resilience as AI becomes embedded across business and industry. - The discussion also covered collaboration between government, academia and industry. - IRM and Penang explored internationally recognised education and professional certification in AI Risk Management, Operational Risk and Enterprise Risk Management. - IRM agreed to visit Penang and take part in the AI Horizon event in October. - The planned visit will support discussions on responsible AI adoption, governance and professional capability. - IRM recently established IRM Asia Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur as its regional hub for ASEAN. - The Kuala Lumpur hub supports partnerships, professional education and HRD Corp-funded training across Malaysia. - IRM says its wider Asia work is aimed at helping governments, industry and academia build skills, governance and risk capability for responsible AI adoption and sustainable economic growth. - Malaysia’s investment in technology, digital infrastructure and skills development is creating opportunities across the region.

Between the lines: - IRM is positioning risk management as a core enabler of AI-led growth, not just a compliance function. - The Penang meeting also signals a broader push to link public policy, education and industry capability around emerging technology. - IRM’s Asia expansion suggests the institute sees Malaysia as a strategic base for regional influence.

What's next: - IRM will visit Penang ahead of the AI Horizon event in October. - Further collaboration could follow on AI governance, professional training and certification. - The Kuala Lumpur hub is likely to remain central to IRM’s ASEAN partnerships and training efforts.

The bottom line: - IRM is using its Penang engagement to advance a wider message: AI growth depends on governance, resilience and a workforce trained to manage risk.