Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn. Bhd. (EY Malaysia) Has officially launched its ey.ai Innovation Centre in Penang, marking a major milestone in advancing Malaysia’s role as a strategic hub for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and capability development. The new centre is designed to accelerate AI adoption, nurture local talent and empower organisations to build intelligent, connected businesses of the future.
Building upon EY’s flagship ey.ai Innovation Centre in Kuala Lumpur, the Penang facility enhances EY’s regional focus with in-depth capabilities in SAP AI. This expansion highlights EY’s ambition to drive the AI agenda not just in Malaysia but across Southeast Asia, positioning Penang as a crucial gateway for AI-driven business transformation.
The centre delivers a comprehensive suite of programs anchored on three core components:
● AI Lab: A secure, collaborative environment where businesses can co-create, experiment with and scale AI-powered solutions tailored to real-world needs.
● AI Centre of Excellence (CoE): A hub for delivery excellence and talent development, aimed at accelerating the industrialisation of AI solutions, strengthening local expertise and building scalable capabilities for clients and partners.
● AI Research: Targeted initiatives to identify high-impact AI use cases and develop solutions that meet local needs while offering global relevance.
“The launch of the ey.ai Innovation Centre in Penang is a significant step in our mission to advance technological excellence in Malaysia and push the boundaries of what AI can achieve,” said Dato’ Abdul Rauf Rashid, Malaysia Managing Partner, EY Malaysia. “Through this centre, we aim to strengthen the nation’s AI ecosystem, nurture talent and help businesses unlock new value through innovation, in line with the National AI Roadmap 2030.”
Gaurav Modi, EY ASEAN Consulting Leader, added, “We see AI as a transformative force that will redefine how we serve our clients. With the new Penang centre, we are deepening our commitment to integrating advanced AI into our consulting services. By harnessing these technologies, we aim to uncover deeper insights and drive meaningful innovation, enabling clients to navigate complexity and seize emerging opportunities.”
Fully integrated within the EY Global AI Network, the ey.ai Innovation Centre in Penang provides access to global knowledge, best practices and innovation pathways. It will serve a wide range of ecosystems, including businesses, public sector organisations, startups, and universities, helping them transition from exploring AI to executing AI at scale.
“AI isn’t replacing people or businesses; it’s reimagining what’s possible,” said Jessie Qin, EY Global AI Chief Data Officer. “By empowering local talent and integrating advanced AI solutions, we’re enabling meaningful change for clients while contributing to the global AI landscape.”
The centre will also showcase and co-develop practical SAP AI applications across finance, supply chain, manufacturing and more. “The ey.ai Innovation Centre in Penang reflects our shared commitment to making AI more accessible and impactful for businesses,” said Liher Urbizu, SAP President and Managing Director for Southeast Asia. “SAP’s AI-first, Suite-first strategy is about embedding AI into everyday business processes to help customers work smarter and achieve stronger outcomes. We’re pleased to collaborate with EY to bring these innovations closer to our customers.”
With this launch, EY Malaysia reinforces its position as a trusted transformation partner, helping organisations reinvent business models, enhance operational agility and drive sustainable growth with AI. The centre will act as a catalyst for forward-looking innovation, connecting Malaysia’s local strengths to global opportunities.
“Today’s inauguration marks a defining moment in Penang’s journey toward becoming Malaysia’s Northern AI Powerhouse,” said Yang Berhormat Zairil Khir Johari, Penang State Executive Councillor for Infrastructure, Transport and Digital. “Penang is ready to lead the nation’s AI trajectory, merging our strong manufacturing heritage with a future shaped by digital innovation.
With our robust ecosystem of global companies, SMEs, research institutions and digital talent, Penang is well-positioned to become the beating heart of Malaysia’s AI economy.”
