By Asvinitha Muniandy, ACE@MCMC
When I think about how my journey with AI began, it was not in a classroom or from a textbook. In fact, my earliest memory of AI was a disappointing exam result for this subject during my studies. That single mark convinced me that AI was “not my thing” too distant and too complicated to be part of my future. But life has a way of offering second chances.
I write this not as an AI expert, but as an ACE@MCMC, whose journey into AI truly began during my very first departmental rotation. Until then, AI had been a subject I once struggled with in class, a closed door I never thought would reopen. But stepping into MCMC changed that. It felt as if knowledge had leaned over from the next table not loudly, but gently a reminder that sometimes the greatest lessons come from the colleague sitting right beside you. A colleague, an AI enthusiast and visionary, introduced me to discussions about AI and the emerging idea of an AI Code of Ethics. More importantly, he once told me something I will always carry with me: “Grades don’t define your passion. What matters is your eagerness to learn and your curiosity.” For that wisdom, I remain deeply thankful. His encouragement opened a door I had once closed on myself. It reminded me that AI is not just about algorithms or grades but it’s about people, trust, and possibilities. That was the moment I stopped fearing AI and began to truly explore it.
Since then, I have turned to online platforms and the MCMC Knowledge Management Resource Centre (KMRC), exploring books such as Superminds and Simply Artificial Intelligence (DK) to deepen my understanding. These resources helped me sift through AI’s myths and realities. Too often, AI is portrayed as a killer robot or an all-knowing machine that can act independently. In reality, today’s AI is what experts call narrow AI: it is advancing rapidly, capable of recognising faces, translating languages, or even generating text and images but always within boundaries defined by humans. It cannot truly think across different areas the way people do. The idea of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) a system that could one day think and reason like a human remains a vision of the future, not a reality (The Gurdian). More recently, researchers have begun to speak of agentic AI systems that don’t just respond, but can take actions, set goals, and make decisions on our behalf. That possibility is fascinating, but it also sharpens the question of whose values will guide these systems. For me, this became even more real when I was given the chance to create the AI Bulletin as part of my daily tasks during my departmental placement at MCMC. The bulletin gathers the latest AI news from around the world, especially stories connected to the telecommunications industry and circulates it within our department as a knowledge feed. What started as a small responsibility soon became a doorway into the wider AI conversation. Each issue encouraged me to explore further, stay on trend, and share what I was learning with others. It showed me that curiosity does not have to stop at personal growth; it can spark collective awareness and inspire more people to see AI as part of our future.
The Simply AI book also makes an important point: the term “AI” is often used in ways that exaggerate
both threats and benefits. Marketing often highlights products as “AI-powered” from photo filters to
chatbots even when the actual technology behind them may be minimal. These myths can create either unnecessary fear or unrealistic expectations. As Stephen Hawking once said: “The real risk with AI isn’t malice, but competence.” AI doesn’t “hate” us or “love” us. But if we build it carelessly, it can cause harm simply by doing exactly what it was designed to do, without ethical reflection. That is why awareness matters more than hype especially when it comes to empowering women in the digital age.
For women, this awareness is not optional. It is a matter of both safety and empowerment. Women face unique risks online from harassment and bullying to scams and image misuse. With a better understanding of how AI works, women can defend themselves more effectively and make informed choices in digital spaces. At the same time, knowledge of AI opens doors to leadership, innovation, and influence. Instead of remaining passive users of technology, women can step forward as active shapers of the systems that will define the future. This isn’t about becoming an engineer overnight. It’s about having the confidence to engage, to ask the right questions, and to make sure technology reflects fairness and respect for everyone.
The real challenge is not whether AI can be programmed with ethics, it is whose ethics will guide it. AI must be designed to treat all humans with equal respect, to recognise and correct bias, and to operate transparently so that users can trust it. This is why inclusive AI is essential. It is not just a gender issue it is a trust issue.
In September 2024, Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) introduced the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics (AIGE). These guidelines outline seven core, non-binding principles designed to serve as a national benchmark and reference point for government agencies, industries, and developers. The AIGE also encourages different sectors to create their own specific AI ethics codes to adapt to the country’s diverse needs and build public trust. they provide a strong national framework for responsible and trustworthy AI development, while signaling Malaysia’s alignment with global efforts to ensure AI benefits everyone.
These issues become even clearer when we look at our everyday lives. Almost every app now claims to have “AI features.” From playful filters to chatbots that mimic conversation, AI has quietly woven itself into our routines. Fun? Absolutely. But every upload is also data. Where does it go? Who controls it? Could it be reused in ways we don’t expect? Even if a platform seems safe, the habit of sharing without thinking is risky. For women in particular, this risk is real from privacy leaks to image manipulation that can damage reputations and trust. That is why ethics must come before excitement. Because in the digital world, every click is not just entertainment it is a choice that shapes the future we are building.
So how do we move forward? First, women must learn the language of AI terms like machine learning,
generative AI, AGI, agentic AI, algorithms, and bias. Knowing what these mean helps us see beyond
marketing hype and recognise both risks and opportunities. Second, we must practice digital awareness. Before sharing data or using AI-driven apps, we should pause to ask: Where does my data go? Who owns the output? How might this be used? These small acts of awareness are the foundation of digital trust. Finally, women must step into the arena as creators, leaders, and decision-makers. If only a narrow group defines what “fair” means in AI, systems will continue to replicate old biases. But if women are included, AI can evolve into what Superminds describes as the most powerful form of intelligence machines and diverse groups of people working together.
When I look back, I see how colleague’s encouragement shifted my entire mindset. What I once feared because of a single exam grade, I now approach with curiosity. That lesson is universal: empowerment begins with understanding. For women, understanding AI is not just about joining the tech workforce. It is about protecting themselves from online risks, demanding fairness in the systems that shape their lives, and leading the design of technologies that respect and include them. AI is not magic, nor is it a monster. It is what we make of it. And if women are given the tools to understand and shape it, then AI can become not only intelligent, but also inclusive.
The future of AI is being written now. If women remain only as users, the systems built may not reflect their realities. But if women become shapers informed, empowered, and included AI can truly build digital trust. As I discovered through my own journey, knowledge can turn fear into confidence. And that confidence is what every woman deserves in the digital age. Because the true measure of progress is not just whether we are connected, but whether we are safe, respected, and empowered online.
References:
- Thomas W. Malone. (2018). Superminds: The Surprising Power of People and Computers Thinking Together. Oneworld Publications.
- 2) DK. (2023). Simply Artificial Intelligence. Dorling Kindersley Ltd.
- 3) The Guardian. (2025, August 9). It’s missing something: AGI, superintelligence and a race for the future. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com
- 4) Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). (2024). National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics (AIGE). Government of Malaysia.