MyDIGITAL Corporation and Pepper Labs Expand Inclusive AI Learning Through Rakyat Digital

^{From left to right: • Thanaselan Rajendran, Managing Director, Pepper Labs Sdn. Bhd. • YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital • Adrian Marcellus, Chief Executive Officer, MyDIGITAL Corporation} 



Public-Private-Community Partnership connects Rakyat Digital with Dapur Digital's community hubs, helping more Malaysians move from AI awareness to practical adoption

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- MyDIGITAL Corporation and Pepper Labs are expanding inclusive AI learning through Rakyat Digital, combining the reach of Malaysia's Digital Learning Hub with Dapur Digital's community-based network to help more Malaysians understand, use and benefit from Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchanged at the AI-Ready Malaysia Summit 2026 on 14 August 2026, the collaboration offers a practical Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) model: MyDIGITAL Corporation provides national coordination, structured learning pathways and digital access, while Pepper Labs brings trusted community reach and on-the-ground delivery experience in Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) communities.

The collaboration supports Malaysia's Towards an AI Nation 2030 agenda under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (RMK13), the Malaysia Digital 2030 (MD2030) Action Plan and the National AI Action Plan 2026-2030. It contributes directly to the national priorities of developing future-ready talent and enabling more Malaysians to participate confidently and equitably in the digital ecosystem.

Rakyat Digital is Malaysia's Digital Learning Hub, an initiative of the Ministry of Digital implemented by MyDIGITAL Corporation. Its 3A approach - Awareness, Access and Adoption - helps Malaysians build foundational digital and AI understanding, connect to learning opportunities and recognised certifications, and apply digital tools in practical ways.

"Malaysia's AI Nation ambition will be realised not by technology alone, but by whether people can use it confidently and responsibly to improve their lives and livelihoods. This partnership connects the national scale of Rakyat Digital with the community reach of Dapur Digital. It shows how collaboration can turn awareness into access, and access into meaningful adoption - especially for communities that may not be reached by online learning alone," said Adrian Marcellus, CEO of MyDIGITAL Corporation.

From Awareness to Access to Adoption

Through Dapur Digital, the collaboration will extend Rakyat Digital beyond the screen and into community spaces.

Dapur Digital is a community entrepreneurship initiative by Pepper Labs that transforms underutilised spaces in PPR communities into inclusive economic and learning hubs. Through training, shared facilities, market access and digital capabilities, it supports women micro-entrepreneurs and local communities in building more sustainable businesses and improving livelihoods.

The community-based model strengthens each stage of the 3A journey. It builds Awareness through guided learning and local engagement; expands Access by connecting participants to Rakyat Digital courses and certifications; and supports Adoption by helping micro-entrepreneurs and community businesses identify practical ways to use digital and AI tools in their operations.

By combining online learning with face-to-face support, the partnership meets people where they are and creates a clearer pathway from learning to use. It also offers a repeatable model for extending national digital initiatives through trusted local partners.

Scaling AI Readiness Through Strategic Partnerships

The partnership will also support broader AI upskilling efforts under the Pepper Labs' AI-Ready Malaysia initiative, with selected programmes expected to be featured on Rakyat Digital's Digital Skills Hub.

Supported through the AI Opportunity Fund for Asia-Pacific, implemented by AVPN with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the initiative aims to strengthen AI capabilities for up to 50,000 Malaysians, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), university students and educators. 

Pepper Labs will complement the digital learning programmes to accelerate AI literacy and responsible AI adoption nationwide. 

An Inclusive AI Nation Starts with a Way In

Malaysia's ambition to become an inclusive and sustainable AI Nation by 2030 depends on ensuring that people and businesses can participate in, contribute to, and benefit from AI.

For Rakyat Digital, inclusion means providing a pathway for every Malaysian, regardless of background or starting point, to build the skills and confidence needed for the digital economy. This collaboration brings that commitment to life by connecting national scale with local reach and learning opportunities with practical adoption.

It demonstrates how well-designed partnerships can close the gap between access and actual use, strengthen livelihoods and ensure no one is left behind as Malaysia's digital economy grows.

Malaysians seeking to strengthen their digital and AI capabilities are encouraged to explore the learning opportunities available through Rakyat Digital, including complimentary access to Coursera's extensive course catalogue for eligible participants. For more information, visit rakyatdigital.gov.my.

About MyDIGITAL Corporation

MyDIGITAL Corporation is a monitoring agency and operates as a Strategic Change Management Office under the Ministry of Digital, overseeing the implementation of the Malaysia Digital 2030 Action Plan: Towards An AI Nation (MD2030) that is built on the foundations of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MDEB) and the National 4IR Policy. It serves as the secretariat to the National Digital Economy and 4IR Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, and hosts the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. MyDIGITAL Corporation is a dynamic platform aimed at accelerating the digital transformation and adoption of 4IR technologies and fostering innovation.

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About Rakyat Digital 

Rakyat Digital is a national digital learning platform by MyDIGITAL Corporation that provides Malaysians with free learning modules in digital literacy and AI awareness. Designed for all citizens, anywhere and anytime, the platform supports Malaysia’s aspiration to become an inclusive AI Nation by 2030 by empowering the rakyat to understand, adopt and benefit from digital technologies. 

Follow Rakyat Digital: 
Website  |  TikTok

SOURCE: MyDIGITAL Corporation

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Faizah Jaafar
Tel: +6019 399 7746 
Email: faizah.jaafar@mydigital.gov.my 

Name: See Siok Gee
Tel:  +6012 662 4336 
Email: siokgee.see@mydigital.gov.my

--BERNAMA