I am grateful that Rakyat Digital gave me three months of free access to courses on Coursera. I can learn at my own pace and understand more about AI. More importantly, I can try what I learn in my own business. This opportunity is not limited to younger Malaysians, and I truly appreciate that.
Later, I found out about another government-sponsored initiative called AI Untuk Rakyat. Participants can receive three months of free access to selected AI tools, including Google’s Gemini Enterprise. But the benefit is only for Malaysians aged between 18 and 30.
I am 49, going into 50. When I saw the age limit, my first thought was simple: why is learning AI so difficult at my age?
Yes, I can continue learning through Coursera. I know this is not the end of the world. But I still felt disappointed. I was not asking for special treatment. I was prepared to spend the time, complete the learning and use these tools in real work. Yet I was not eligible because of my age.
I am not learning AI just because it is a popular topic. I am already using it to rebuild my website, improve content for my e-commerce business and develop Lexis Yoga. I use AI to solve actual business problems, but I also know there is still a lot that I need to learn.
I understand that some programmes are created for young people. Youth development is important, and I am not questioning that. But if Malaysia wants more people to understand and use AI, I believe age limits like this should be reconsidered.
People My Age Need These Opportunities Too
People in my age group may be among those most affected by AI. Many experienced workers worry about restructuring, retrenchment and whether their skills will remain relevant. The way we work is changing very quickly. If we do not learn, we risk being left behind.
But being new to AI does not mean we are unable or unwilling to learn. Many of us understand the urgency. We want to improve, use AI in our work and continue contributing.
This is the part that I find difficult to accept. We are repeatedly told that we must reskill and adapt. But when we try to find opportunities to do exactly that, we sometimes discover that we are already too old to qualify.
The AI Untuk Rakyat Age Limit Is Bigger Than My Own Experience
I wanted to know whether this was only my personal feeling, so I did some research. The World Economic Forum estimates that 59% of the global workforce will need reskilling by 2030. It has also discussed the need to “age-proof” AI so that mid-career and older workers are not left behind. (World Economic Forum: Future of Jobs and reskilling; World Economic Forum: Age-proofing AI in the workplace)
One study cited by the World Economic Forum found that 89% of hiring managers said their mid-career and older employees performed as well as, or better than, younger colleagues. This is important because it challenges the idea that older workers cannot adapt or learn new technology.
The OECD Going Digital Toolkit also says that people need foundational, digital and complementary skills to manage modern work and life. I believe this should apply to people of every age. Lifelong learning should not stop at 30, 40 or 45.
Our Experience Still Has Value
At almost 50, I may not learn in exactly the same way as someone who is 20. But I have decades of experience in engineering, management, sales, entrepreneurship and e-commerce. That experience should count for something.
AI becomes useful when we apply it to real problems. Experienced workers understand customers, operations, people and the consequences of business decisions. When we combine that experience with AI knowledge, we can create value in a different way from younger people.
I do not believe AI education should depend mainly on the year printed on our identity cards. Interest, effort and the willingness to apply what we learn should matter too.
Please Give Us the Chance to Learn
People my age are not asking the world to stop changing. We know that AI is changing business, jobs and society. We also know that some of the knowledge and working methods that helped us in the past may no longer be enough.
That is why we are trying to learn.
Please do not assume that we are too old to understand AI or too slow to change. We still have experience to contribute, responsibilities to carry and many productive years ahead. We are willing to become students again and learn alongside younger people.
I am not asking for opportunities to be taken away from young Malaysians. They deserve support. I am only asking policymakers and programme organisers to consider another pathway for committed mid-career and older Malaysians. This could be additional places, a separate learning track or access based on commitment and need instead of a strict age limit.
Do not tell us that we must adapt and then make it harder for us to access the tools that could help us change.
All we are asking for is a fair opportunity to learn.