JABIL Malaysia is playing a pivotal role in driving artificial intelligence (AI) innovation within the region, with a clear focus on advancing manufacturing solutions and contributing to the country’s technological growth.
At the heart of the company’s strategy is a commitment to sustainable AI development, talent nurturing, and ensuring the ethical deployment of AI technologies across the region.
According to SJ Tan, vice president of operations at Jabil Malaysia, the company is deeply integrated into the ongoing AI evolution.
“At Jabil, we are continuously supporting the development and deployment of next-generation technologies, from compute architectures that address massive data transfer needs to liquid cooling solutions designed to meet the high-energy demands of AI applications,” Tan stated.
This year, Jabil is showcasing a series of AI-focused solutions that position the company as a global leader in the sector. Among the key highlights are, liquid cooling solutions, which is to manage the energy demands of AI systems, photonic interconnects, a cost- and power-efficient solutions that enhance GPU speeds, and lastly, engineering and architecture, which is supporting the transition of GPU hardware from development to large-scale production.
Internally, Jabil has been leveraging AI to enhance productivity and optimise processes across its operations.
“AI has enabled us to automate tasks, improve decision-making, and enhance productivity, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation,” said Tan.
Jabil views Malaysia as a strategic hub within the South Asia region, particularly in advancing AI capabilities.
“Malaysia is emerging as a preferred location for launching technically demanding products.
“Factors such as a strong engineering talent pool, supportive government policies, and an expanding digital infrastructure make the country an ideal environment for AI growth, especially in areas such as industrial automation and smart manufacturing.
“As AI becomes an essential driver of global competitiveness, Malaysia’s position in this space is critical, with Jabil playing an integral role in the country’s development and future AI landscape,” Tan further explained.
Jabil Malaysia is actively collaborating with local universities, government agencies, and talent development platforms to strengthen the country’s AI capabilities.
In particular, the company is working closely with institutions like Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) to offer internships, final-year project alignments, and research partnerships.
Additionally, Jabil has partnered with TalentCorp and PERKESO to align its recruitment and talent development efforts with Malaysia’s national workforce priorities.
Some notable upcoming initiatives include the Jabil Manufacturing Technology Innovation (MTI) – University Programme 2025, which will bridge the gap between academia and industry through internships, fellowships, and AI integration in smart manufacturing education.
Jabil’s MTI Lab in Chuping, located in Perlis, serves as an innovation and prototyping hub, collaborating with local startups, suppliers, and universities to create solutions for material validation and low-volume production.
As generative AI technologies evolve, Jabil is committed to ensuring the ethical and responsible deployment of AI systems. The company has established a Data and AI Council that oversees AI initiatives, ensuring they align with privacy, security, and ethical standards.
“Our focus is on ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI-driven decisions.
“The introduction of our Data and AI policy in 2023 sets clear standards for AI governance, including data privacy protection and accountability for AI applications,” Tan said.
Jabil sees a bright future for Malaysian businesses, particularly in Penang, where there are opportunities to lead the charge in digital transformation. Through the integration of AI in areas such as predictive modeling and smart manufacturing, Jabil is working to boost quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness across its operations.
The company is also focusing on talent development, with plans to upskill its workforce in automation and digitalization while recruiting data scientists and technical leads. Jabil’s collaborations with Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and local universities also aim to further drive technology adoption and create job opportunities in the growing AI sector.
Jabil’s AI-driven initiatives in Southeast Asia have already yielded impressive results, particularly in areas like computer vision, machine learning, and generative AI.
“We have deployed computer vision systems for defect detection, while machine learning algorithms help us derive insights from vast data sets,” Tan shared.
“Our adoption of generative AI, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, enhances the daily work of our employees, improving decision-making and productivity.”
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Jabil’s approach to AI. Through strong governance led by the Data and AI Council, Jabil focuses on ethical, scalable, and responsible AI development. The company is also applying AI to optimize product lifecycles, reduce waste, and improve resource efficiency as part of its broader circular economy initiatives.
Additionally, Jabil is exploring energy-efficient AI solutions, such as edge-based AI systems that support real-time decision-making while consuming less energy.
To meet the increasing demands of AI workloads, Jabil is investing $500 million in U.S. manufacturing to support the production of advanced hardware for cloud and AI data centers. This expansion includes modular and scalable solutions that optimize performance, cost, and deployment speed.
Furthermore, Jabil’s recent acquisition of Mikros Technologies LLC, a leader in liquid cooling solutions, will provide enhanced capabilities for managing the thermal demands of AI products while focusing on sustainability.
To the young talents, innovators, and entrepreneurs attending AI Horizon 2025, Jabil has an empowering message: “AI is transforming industries, and as the manufacturing sector rapidly adopts AI, the role you play is vital.
“Embrace AI, be bold, stay curious, and keep developing your skills. The future belongs to those who are ready to lead with technology,” said Tan.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of Jabil Malaysia