IRM and Penang deputy chief minister discuss AI governance and skills development

The Institute of Risk Management met Penang Deputy Chief Minister II YB Jagdeep Singh Deo in London to explore how professional risk management can support Malaysia’s AI, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ambitions. The talks also set up a Penang visit and October AI Horizon event as both sides look to expand governance, training and resilience capabilities.

Why it matters: - Malaysia is pushing to become a global player in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation. - The meeting focused on the governance and resilience needed to make AI adoption responsible and sustainable. - The discussions also touched on the professional skills pipeline needed to support Malaysia’s innovation agenda.

What happened: - The Institute of Risk Management met YB Jagdeep Singh Deo, Penang’s Deputy Chief Minister II, in London on July 24, 2026. - IRM Chair Stephen Sidebottom, Chief Executive Dr Ian Livsey and Commercial Director Sarah Atkins joined the meeting. - Jagdeep Singh Deo’s portfolio includes Human Capital, Science, Technology and Innovation. - IRM and the Penang delegation discussed how risk management can support innovation, organisational resilience and trusted governance as AI becomes more embedded across business and industry.

The details: - The talks explored collaboration between government, academia and industry. - The focus was on 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 October event will support discussion on responsible AI adoption, governance and professional capability. - IRM Asia Sdn Bhd was recently established in Kuala Lumpur as IRM’s regional hub for ASEAN. - The Kuala Lumpur hub supports partnerships, professional education and HRD Corp-funded training across Malaysia. - IRM said its wider work across Asia reflects a long-term commitment to governments, industry and academia through education, professional standards and thought leadership. - IRM said Malaysia’s investment in technology, digital infrastructure and skills development is creating opportunities across the region.

Between the lines: - Penang’s role as one of Asia’s leading technology and semiconductor hubs makes the state a strategic partner for risk and governance work. - The meeting suggests IRM is positioning itself as a regional adviser on the human and governance side of AI adoption, not just training. - The emphasis on certification and professional standards points to a broader effort to institutionalize AI oversight as adoption speeds up.

What’s next: - IRM will visit Penang before or during the AI Horizon event in October. - The visit is expected to advance talks on responsible AI adoption, governance and professional capability. - IRM will continue expanding its ASEAN partnerships from Kuala Lumpur. - The organization will keep promoting education, training and standards tied to responsible innovation and sustainable growth.

The bottom line: - IRM is deepening its Malaysia presence at a moment when the country is trying to pair AI growth with stronger governance, resilience and skills.