Malaysia Marks AI Appreciation Day With 183% Surge in GenAI Course Enrollments on Coursera
Advancing Artificial Intelligence and Taking Decisive Action to Build AI Literacy and Workforce Readiness
As the world marks AI Appreciation Day, new data reveals that Malaysians are not only celebrating advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) but also taking decisive action to build AI literacy and workforce readiness. Enrollments in Generative AI (GenAI) courses on Coursera have soared by 183% year-over-year, highlighting Malaysia’s proactive approach in preparing for an AI-driven future.
In 2025 alone, GenAI course enrollments in Malaysia have surpassed 48,000, equating to one new learner every 25 minutes, compared to every 30 minutes last year. Malaysian learners have logged more than 53,000 hours of GenAI study in less than three years, reflecting an intensifying commitment to mastering the skills driving the next wave of innovation.
This milestone comes as Malaysia ranks 14th in the Asia Pacific for proficiency in business, technology, and data science skills, and fourth in Southeast Asia. National efforts such as the National AI Roadmap 2021-2025 and the AI Talent Roadmap 2024-2033 are bolstering Malaysia’s digital ecosystem by encouraging upskilling and research collaboration.
The uptrend is generational, with millennials leading GenAI enrollments (58%), followed by Gen
X (25%) and Gen Z (14%). Beginner-level courses dominate, accounting for over 83% of enrollments, signalling broad-based adoption of AI skills across the workforce.
The most popular courses among Malaysian learners include Google AI Essentials, Generative AI for Everyone by DeepLearning.AI, and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence by IBM. Recent spikes in job-specific GenAI training, ranging from design fundamentals to AI-powered job search, point to a workforce actively aligning with market needs.
The appetite for digital credentials is also rising. Malaysia has seen a 31% increase in enrollments for Professional Certificates, as workers look to strengthen their career prospects in the digital economy. Diversity remains strong, with women making up 46% of all Coursera learners in Malaysia.
With over 900.000 learners on Coursera, Malaysia’s engagement with AI education is a testament to the country’s determination to remain competitive, inclusive, and future-ready.
AI Appreciation Day offers an opportunity to acknowledge the technology’s transformative impact and recognise the Malaysian learners and institutions driving real change. As the demand for GenAI skills accelerates, Malaysia’s robust response signals a national commitment to building digital capacity and shaping the future of work.
