Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) has been named the sole Malaysian founding member of MIT CSAIL’s prestigious new initiative, FinTechAI@CSAIL, cementing its position as a leading advocate for ethical and inclusive AI in financial services.
The initiative, housed within the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), brings together global financial institutions, regulators, and researchers to accelerate responsible AI innovation across the financial sector.
“This collaboration with MIT CSAIL isn’t just about technology, it’s about trust, sovereignty, and shaping a digital future that works for everyone,” said Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet. “We are embedding AI at the heart of Malaysia’s payments infrastructure to enhance fraud detection, operational resilience, and intelligent digital transformation.”
As Malaysia’s national payments network and the operator behind platforms like DuitNow, PayNet’s participation in FinTechAI@CSAIL signals a bold step forward in aligning local innovation with global standards. Its contributions aim to represent the diverse needs of Southeast Asia in global fintech discussions, especially in areas where emerging economies are often underrepresented.
The FinTechAI@CSAIL initiative will explore key areas such as:
AI-driven fraud detection and cybersecurity
Personalised customer experiences
Regulatory compliance and governance
Democratising financial access through intelligent automation
MIT CSAIL Director, Professor Daniela Rus, remarked: “With members like PayNet, we are advancing trustworthy, transformative AI that can shape the future of global finance.”
PayNet’s commitment to AI innovation is also evident in local initiatives like Program Akar, a partnership with Microsoft aimed at developing AI skills among Malaysian youth. The company has also partnered with Imperial College London to delve into the governance and ethical frameworks for AI in payments.
With this global partnership, PayNet continues to elevate Malaysia’s role in the fintech space, championing a future where AI doesn’t just enable, but empowers.
