KUALA LUMPUR: GAMUDA Bhd, a leading construction company in Asia, has emerged as a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) for the sector with the launch of its Gamuda AI Academy in Petaling Jaya recently.
The company, via collaboration with Google Cloud, is building a new talent pipeline of data engineers in the construction space.
Gamuda group chief digital officer John Lim Ji Xiong said while the company is renowned in the construction industry, it viewed AI as an essential element in improving workforce efficiency.
"The use of AI enhances various aspects of Gamuda's operations, including overall project planning, resources allocation, and decision-making processes.
"By implementing these advanced digital tools, methodologies and solutions, the group has achieved greater efficiency, precision and accuracy, as well as cost savings and improved project outcomes."
Lim said Gamuda was no stranger to digital innovation, having launched the Gamuda Innovation Hub two years ago as it embraced digital technology.
"Through our partnership with Google Cloud, Gamuda continues to advance its digital innovations, with the focus now on AI and data management. With the Google Cloud data centre in Malaysia, Gamuda wants to ensure Malaysians can benefit from it," he said at the launch of the academy, which was officiated by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
The Gamuda AI Academy offers a fully-sponsored comprehensive three-month curriculum that focuses on full-stack AI development, including front-end, back-end and AI technology.
The programme is open to students, graduates, industry professionals, and startup founders, and provides hands-on experience through lectures, labs, Google Cloud Skills Boost and a capstone project.
Participants also have the option to extend their training with a three-month internship at Gamuda or one of its partner organisations.
The academy leverages Google Cloud's data and AI capabilities to develop and implement scalable solutions, reinforced by Gamuda's advanced use cases, including its award-winning autonomous tunnel boring machines and Building Information Modelling Augmented Reality.
Meanwhile, a student from the academy's first cohort, Safea Ramli, 24, said she learnt a great deal about AI technology.
The Ipoh lass said the classes were highly intensive and taught personal as well as technical skills.
"I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning about AI and programming.
"What's great about this academy is that it's free, and students just need to bring their own laptops," she said, adding that she planned to do an internship with Gamuda once she completed her studies at the academy next month.