15/05/2026
Representing Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) at the Gartner APAC CIO Leadership Forum 2026 in Sydney, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Azlan Ahmad shared critical perspectives on the intersection of energy transition and digital intelligence. The forum served as a key moment to demonstrate the maturity of TNB in scaling artificial intelligence, moving beyond industry hype to focus on the psychological readiness and operational resilience required of a future-ready workforce.
At TNB, the rise of AI is viewed not as a displacement of talent but as a sophisticated augmentation of human decision-making. Azlan shared that meaningful transformation at a national scale requires bridging the gap between two deeply ingrained cultures: the engineering mindset that is passionate about building and the IT mindset driven to solve problems. By fostering synergy between these two worlds, TNB ensures that as the grid becomes more intelligent, the workforce becomes more empowered, recognising that success in this journey is defined by adoption and the psychological readiness of the organisation. This is supported by the Value Unlocking Program, an organisation-wide framework ensuring every initiative translates into measurable outcomes across profitability, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Addressing the complexities of this transition, Azlan spoke on the importance of meeting employees where they are, acknowledging the diverse needs of tech-driven early adopters alongside conservative engineers who prioritise the absolute stability of critical control systems. This human-centric approach demands deep engagement and the building of trust long before any digital initiative is operationalised. By addressing job security concerns and elevating the workforce from manual tasks to higher-value advisory roles, technology acts as the nervous system that supports people in navigating a complex energy transition.
For TNB, the path toward Net Zero 2050 is paved with both intelligence and empathy, driven by the immense value that AI can bring to the nation. This is not merely an upgrade of a grid but the evolution of a national legacy. By empowering the workforce to be the co-creators of a digital future, TNB ensures that as Malaysia’s energy landscape transforms, progress remains resilient, inclusive, and fundamentally "Better. Brighter."