Malaysia — MyDIGITAL Corporation and Pepper Labs are expanding access to AI learning by connecting Rakyat Digital, Malaysia’s Digital Learning Hub, with Dapur Digital’s community-based network.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchanged at the AI-Ready Malaysia Summit 2026 on the 14th of August, is intended to help more Malaysians move from awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) to practical use of digital and AI tools.
Under the collaboration, MyDIGITAL Corporation will provide national coordination, structured learning pathways and digital access, while Pepper Labs will support community-level delivery through Dapur Digital, particularly in Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) communities.
The initiative forms part of 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.
“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.
Bringing Rakyat Digital into community spaces
Rakyat Digital uses a three-stage approach — Awareness, Access and Adoption — to help Malaysians develop foundational digital and AI knowledge, access learning opportunities and recognised certifications, and apply digital tools in practical settings.
Through the partnership, Dapur Digital will provide community-based access to these learning opportunities.
Dapur Digital, a community entrepreneurship initiative by Pepper Labs, converts underused spaces in PPR communities into learning and economic hubs. Its programmes provide training, shared facilities, market access and digital capabilities, with a focus on supporting women microentrepreneurs and local communities.
The partners said the model will support each stage of the Rakyat Digital approach. Community engagement and guided learning will support awareness, while links to Rakyat Digital courses and certifications will expand access. The adoption stage will focus on helping microentrepreneurs and community businesses identify practical applications for digital and AI tools.
The partnership combines online learning with face-to-face support, with the aim of providing a more accessible route from skills development to practical use.
Broader AI upskilling initiative
The collaboration will also support wider AI upskilling efforts under Pepper Labs’ AI-Ready Malaysia initiative. Selected programmes are expected to be featured on Rakyat Digital’s Digital Skills Hub.
The initiative is supported through the AI Opportunity Fund for Asia Pacific, implemented by AVPN with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
It aims to strengthen AI capabilities among up to 50,000 Malaysians, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), university students and educators.
Pepper Labs will complement the digital learning programmes as part of efforts to increase AI literacy and encourage responsible adoption of AI tools.
The organisations said the partnership is intended to support Malaysia’s goal of becoming an inclusive and sustainable AI Nation by 2030 by widening opportunities for individuals and businesses to develop and apply AI-related skills.
