Dassault Systemes Expands AI Partnerships To Power Malaysia’s Innovation-Driven Economy

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Dassault Systèmes is ramping up its collaboration with Malaysian industry and government partners to accelerate the adoption of virtual twin technologies and generative artificial intelligence (AI), positioning the country for a new phase of industrial and aerospace transformation under the National AI Roadmap.

In an interview with Bernama recently, Dassault Systèmes executive vice-president for Asia Pacific, Samson Khaou said the company is strengthening support for Malaysia’s aerospace, manufacturing and urban development ambitions through its secure 3DEXPERIENCE platform, designed to meet stringent global requirements on compliance, traceability and explainability.

3DEXPERIENCE is a business and innovation platform that provides organisations with a holistic, real-time vision of their business activity and ecosystem.

“In Malaysia, we are addressing the key challenges of data quality, regulatory compliance and workforce readiness through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, while working closely with National Aerospace Industry Corporation’s (NAICO) Industry Training Centre and local partners to upskill engineers and technicians,” he said.

He said this would ensure the aerospace workforce is fully prepared to adopt virtual twin and AI-enabled maintenance processes safely, efficiently and at scale.

Khaou said Dassault’s approach weaves together technology, talent development and ecosystem collaboration, aimed at helping Malaysia build a sustainable, innovation-driven economy, where industries and communities benefit directly from next-generation digital and AI capabilities.

“By aligning with Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap, we can help accelerate AI-enabled design, predictive maintenance and supply-chain optimisation, positioning the country as a hub for advanced manufacturing and smart urban development and trusted AI ecosystems,” he explained.

Transforming MRO and aerospace capabilities

On opportunities in aviation, he said Dassault’s 3DUNIVERSE Gen 7 virtual twins, integrated with AI, are enabling a shift from reactive to predictive and prescriptive maintenance.

Khaou explained that virtual twin-based AI could analyse streams of sensor, flight and maintenance data to forecast the remaining useful life of aircraft components, allowing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operators to minimise downtime, optimise resource scheduling and simulate repairs before execution.

“With Malaysia’s expanding MRO ecosystem, especially over the last five years, these capabilities can significantly improve turnaround times and modernise supply chain operations,” he said.

Dassault Systèmes is already working with NAICO Malaysia and Feiran Technology through an memorandum (MoU) of understanding signed last year, involving the development of the Malaysia Aerospace Digital System (MADS) and the establishment of a 3D Visualisation Lab at the MyAERO Centre of Excellence.

Supporting smart manufacturing, urban planning

Khaou said virtual twins are also becoming central to Malaysia’s ambitions in advanced manufacturing and smart city development.

The company’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows industries to replicate entire production environments, test scenarios virtually and optimise processes for sustainability, energy efficiency and cost savings.

He said Dassault’s recent MoU with Invest Sarawak reflects the state’s interest in deploying virtual twins and AI to support smart city planning, green industrial hubs and digital manufacturing clusters.

On Oct 22, Dassault signed a MoU with Invest Sarawak to explore collaboration supporting the state’s transformation into an innovation-driven and sustainable economy, while fostering local innovation capacity and develop future-ready talent. 

“In manufacturing, AI-driven optimisation helps reconfigure production lines for sustainability. In urban planning, digital twins enable cities to simulate infrastructure, mobility and energy systems before they are built,” he noted.

Preparing Malaysia’s workforce

A key focus, he stressed, is ensuring Malaysians are trained and equipped to work with advanced simulation, AI and virtual engineering technologies.

Over the past year alone, Dassault Systèmes has contributed towards reskilling or upskilling more than 3,200 Malaysian students and professionals.

New innovation models and partnerships

Looking ahead, Khaou said the company sees strong potential for new types of partnerships across Asia Pacific, particularly in Malaysia, where ecosystem-driven initiatives can accelerate safe but bold digital transformation.

These include regulatory sandbox environments for AI-enabled virtual twin testing, startup accelerator programmes using Dassault’s platform and deeper collaboration with academia to embed modelling and simulation into engineering education.

He pointed out the opportunities to reinvent supply chains, develop cleaner industrial processes and advance the circular economy through AI-enabled planning and lifecycle optimisation.

“Asia Pacific’s diversity makes it ideal for piloting responsible innovation at scale. With Malaysia’s strong policy direction and growing talent pool, the country is well positioned to lead,” he said.

Khaou emphasised that as industries become increasingly knowledgeable and IP-driven, Dassault’s approach to Intellectual Property Lifecycle Management, built on decades of global experience provides Malaysian companies with a trusted environment to generate, manage and protect IP assets.

“Ultimately, tomorrow’s leaders will be those who innovate, safeguard and scale intellectual assets,” he said, adding that the company is committed to helping Malaysia build that future.

-- BERNAMA