USM PENANG, 19 May 2026 - A total of 81 school principals from across Penang participated in the AI Leadership in Education Seminar (ProKAI), organised by the School of Educational Studies (PPIP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), at the Murad Mohd Noor Auditorium, Sains@USM, here recently.

The seminar was organised in collaboration with the Penang State Council of Malaysian School Principals (MPSM) and the School Management Sector, Penang State Education Department.

The opening ceremony was officiated by the Dean of PPIP, Associate Professor Dr. Rahimi Che Aman. In his speech, he stressed that principals must serve as role models in adapting to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in schools.

Also delivering a speech was the Deputy President of MPSM, who is carrying out the duties of President, Ustaz Suhaimi Othman, who described the collaboration between USM and MPSM as a significant initiative in efforts to strengthen the national education system.

The seminar was organised under the Social Innovation and Social Research Fund Grant through the AI Leadership (ProKAI) project led by PPIP USM lecturer, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ali Samsudin.

Among the main contents of the seminar were sharing sessions on AI leadership programmes and activities, demonstrations of AI use in supporting academic excellence, and reflection sessions with the principals present.

During the demonstration session, participants were shown the use of AI Agent technology in learning through the involvement of two Form Four and Form Five students.

The Form Four student used the AI Agent as a learning partner and tutor for Biology, while the Form Five student used the technology as a revision guide and practice assistant for Additional Mathematics in preparation for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

This approach demonstrated the role of AI Agents as learning partners, tutors, revision guides, and practice assistants capable of improving students' understanding and academic achievement.

Meanwhile, in his presentation, Mohd Ali highlighted efforts to drive AI-based school transformation, the importance of making strategic decisions related to AI use, and its potential to improve SPM achievement.

He also elaborated on the concept of the "Latest Revolution: AI Agents in Education" by explaining the three main roles of principals in implementing AI in schools, namely as AI Strategist, AI Decision Maker, and AI Leader.

According to him, as AI Strategists, principals play a role in planning the use of AI strategically and comprehensively, while as AI Decision Makers, they are responsible for determining the selection of suitable AI platforms or tools according to school needs.

He said the role of AI Leader requires principals to lead changes in school culture by encouraging the acceptance and use of AI among the school community.

He stressed that principals who understand the role of AI are not merely technology users, but architects of a smarter and more responsive learning ecosystem.

The organisation of the seminar is hoped to strengthen the role of principals as instructional leaders in integrating AI into the education system, thereby contributing to the improvement of education quality in Penang.

Original Text & Photo: School of Educational Studies (PPIP), USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin