300 C-suite leaders to confront Malaysia's AI leadership gap at upcoming summit

LocalTechnology
29 May 2026 • 3:57 PM MYT
The Vibes
The Vibes

Featuring breaking news & latest stories from every side.

ABOUT 300 of the country's most senior executives will gather at the Summit of Titans II to address Malaysia's AI leadership gap next month.

The event on June 9 brings together the country's most senior business minds, not to talk about AI, but to confront whether they are truly ready to lead through it.

Organised by Futurefirst Solutions Sdn Bhd, it will be held at New Ocean World, Petaling Jaya, by invitation only.

The event is set to see top-tier executives who oversee tens of thousands of employees across Malaysia's largest multinationals and government-linked companies, including general managers, managing directors and chief human resource officers.

Futurefirst Solutions co-founder Shankar Nagalingam said the AI era demands a different kind of leader.

"The AI era won't be won by those who understand the technology; it will be won by those bold enough to lead through it,” he said.

The summit aims to equip senior decision-makers with the capabilities needed to lead organisations through rapid AI-driven change, strengthening collaboration, decision-making, and leadership readiness across industries.

Image from: 300 C-suite leaders to confront Malaysia's AI leadership gap at upcoming summit

The half-day programme will be officiated by Tan Sri Dr Ir. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, Chairman of SIRIM Berhad and Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia, was preceded by a live, choreographed performance.

Professor Keith Carter, an AI strategist, author, and TEDx speaker, will deliver the keynote address on the leadership capabilities needed in an AI-driven world.

The session will be followed by a cross-industry panel featuring Catherine Lian, ASEAN Lead at IBM; Ang Wee Seng, President of the Semiconductor Industry Association of Singapore; and Sunderaj Nagalingam, Founder of Binacap.

The highlight of the day is The Titans' Fireside, an unscripted 20-minute conversation between Andy M, General Manager of Dell Technologies, and Chua Chai Peng, General Manager of Experian.

The session is expected to tackle whether AI could displace 30 per cent of corporate headcount within 24 months, and whether senior leaders are genuinely preparing their organisations for that reality. 

Meanwhile, co-founder Dr Chanthiran Veerasamy said the time for waiting had passed.

"Waiting to see how AI unfolds is no longer a strategy. The leaders who act now will define their industries, the rest will follow them,” he added.

The summit will also see the official launch of Tarantula Trail, a new leadership venture by FutureFirst Solutions and a cinematic trailer is set to premiere on the day, with both co-founders walking the room through the venture's journey.

With AI reshaping how Malaysia's companies operate, organisers say the question is no longer whether leaders need to act, but whether they already have. – May 29, 2026