Human-Centered Cities: Why AI Adoption Alone Won’t Define Malaysia’s Urban Future

Malaysia may be racing ahead in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, but according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, true transformation in city planning isn’t just about technology — it’s about people.

Speaking at the National Planning Congress (NPC) 2025 in Putrajaya, Dr Zaliha emphasized that while 84% of Malaysia’s knowledge workers already use AI at work — higher than the global average of 75% — digital adoption alone doesn’t make a city smarter or more liveable.

“AI can make our systems efficient, but only our values can make them humane,” she said.

She cautioned against the creation of “empty smart cities” — developments that look advanced on paper but lack heart and community. “AI can simulate compassion, but it cannot feel compassion,” Zaliha added, stressing that technology must serve people, not replace them.

Balancing Smart Tech with Human Values

Under Malaysia’s Madani Urban Framework, six guiding values — sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, progress, and compassion — act as moral anchors for every urban decision. Dr Zaliha noted that affordable housing, for instance, should not only be functional but also dignified and beautiful.

This message resonates across the property sector, especially in growing regions like KL and Selangor, where development continues to expand rapidly. As more companies explore commercial property in KL, industrial land in Selangor, and factory opportunities in Puchong or Shah Alam, the call for human-centric planning becomes increasingly relevant.

AI and Urban Resilience: Selangor’s Smart City Approach

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari highlighted how AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital twin technologies are not just buzzwords — they are essential for building resilient, competitive cities.

He shared that Selangor’s Smart Selangor Action Plan 2025 is already advancing digitalisation in mobility, water management, and spatial planning. Through SelGDX, a data-sharing platform, local authorities and GLCs can now collaborate seamlessly, reducing red tape and improving governance.

“We want our officers to work with AI, not be replaced by it,” Amirudin said, announcing a five-year partnership with Google to upskill civil servants in AI readiness.

Such initiatives not only shape future-ready governance but also make areas like industrial property in Shah Alam and commercial hubs in Subang more attractive to investors seeking digitally connected ecosystems.

From Planning to Execution: The Role of Leadership

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif added that Malaysia must move beyond drafting endless policies and focus on execution.

“We already have plans for low-carbon and resilient cities, but we need to translate them into action,” she said.

According to her, smart city success relies on leadership, capacity, and integrity — not just advanced systems. She urged planners to design environments that enhance both physical infrastructure and emotional wellbeing.

This mindset echoes the shift many developers are adopting when designing office spaces in Bukit Jalil or mixed-use projects in central KL — ensuring the spaces support not just work, but community connection and wellbeing.

Kampung Baru: Preserving Heritage Amid Progress

Touching on the redevelopment of Kampung Baru, PKB CEO Dr Khairul Nizam Othman stressed the importance of balancing modernisation with cultural preservation.

“Kampung Baru must not lose its soul in the rush for progress,” he said, noting that while the area holds commercial potential, its deeper value lies in cultural and emotional significance for the Malay community.

Future plans for Kampung Baru, he explained, will be gradual and respectful, ensuring its heritage and architecture remain intact even as development unfolds.

A Smarter, Kinder Urban Future

As Malaysia advances in AI-driven governance and smart city planning, the takeaway from NPC 2025 is clear:
Technology can transform systems — but people define cities.

Whether developing industrial land in Selangor, setting up a factory in Puchong, or exploring office space in Bukit Jalil, the real success of urban progress will depend not on how intelligent our cities become, but on how humane they remain.