MyDIGITAL Corporation and Pepper Labs have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand AI learning through Rakyat Digital, combining Malaysia’s Digital Learning Hub with Pepper Labs’ Dapur Digital community network to help more Malaysians understand, use and benefit from artificial intelligence (AI).
The collaboration brings Rakyat Digital’s national learning platform into community spaces through Dapur Digital, a Pepper Labs initiative that transforms underutilized spaces in Program Perumahan Rakyat communities into learning and economic hubs, the duo said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, MyDIGITAL Corporation will provide national coordination, structured learning pathways and digital access, while Pepper Labs will support community-based delivery through its Dapur Digital network.
The collaboration supports Malaysia’s Towards an AI Nation 2030 agenda under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, the Malaysia Digital 2030 Action Plan and the National AI Action Plan 2026-2030.
It focuses on expanding access to digital and AI skills and enabling more Malaysians to participate in the digital economy.
Rakyat Digital, an initiative of the Ministry of Digital implemented by MyDIGITAL Corporation, uses a three-pronged approach of Awareness, Access and Adoption to help Malaysians build foundational digital and AI knowledge, access learning opportunities and recognized certifications, and apply digital tools in practical ways.
“Malaysia’s AI Nation ambition will be realized 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, Chief Executive Officer of MyDIGITAL Corporation.
Through Dapur Digital, the collaboration will extend Rakyat Digital learning into community spaces, providing face-to-face support alongside online learning.
Dapur Digital is a community entrepreneurship initiative by Pepper Labs that provides training, shared facilities, market access and digital capabilities to support women micro-entrepreneurs and local communities in building sustainable businesses and improving livelihoods.
The partnership will use the Dapur Digital model to support the three stages of Rakyat Digital’s 3A approach. Community engagement will build Awareness, while participants will be connected to Rakyat Digital courses and certifications under Access.
The Adoption component will help micro-entrepreneurs and community businesses identify practical ways to apply digital and AI tools in their operations.
By combining online learning with face-to-face support, the partnership aims to create a clearer pathway from learning to practical use while extending national digital initiatives through community-based partners.
The partnership will also support broader AI upskilling efforts under Pepper Labs’ AI-Ready Malaysia initiative, with selected programs expected to be featured on Rakyat Digital’s Digital Skills Hub.
Supported through the AI Opportunity Fund for Asia-Pacific, implemented by AVPN with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the initiative 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 programs with initiatives aimed at accelerating AI literacy and responsible AI adoption.
The duo noted that Malaysia’s ambition to become an inclusive and sustainable AI Nation by 2030 depends on ensuring that people and businesses can participate in, contribute to and benefit from AI.
They highlighted for Rakyat Digital, inclusion means providing a pathway for every Malaysian, regardless of background or starting point, to build the skills and confidence needed for the digital economy.
This collaboration brings that commitment to life by connecting national scale with local reach, learning opportunities with practical adoption.
It demonstrates how well-designed partnerships can help close the gap between access and actual use, strengthen livelihoods and ensure no one is left behind as Malaysia’s digital economy grows, they added.
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