We are at a pivotal moment in history. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant idea; it is already reshaping education, governance, employment, and nearly every aspect of public service delivery. It is changing how nations compete, how economies expand, and how citizens engage with the modern world.
However, despite this rapid and irreversible transformation, our budgetary priorities have not yet fully aligned with its urgency. There remains insufficient emphasis on developing AI infrastructure, strengthening digital public systems, and, most critically, investing in large-scale reskilling and upskilling of our workforce.
If we fail to respond now, we risk deepening a structural divide in society—between those who can adapt to AI-driven change and those who are left behind. This divide will extend beyond economics, becoming both generational and social in nature.
I therefore urge the government to treat AI not as a distant policy concern, but as an immediate national priority. Adequate funding must be directed toward digital capacity building, AI-integrated education reform, and inclusive workforce transformation. The government must increase investment in human capital development to ensure long-term national competitiveness.
In this new era, national strength will depend not only on physical infrastructure, but also on the intelligence, adaptability, and digital readiness of our people.