For many, Gamuda is synonymous with bold projects, from engineering marvels like the SMART Tunnel to city-defining rail networks such as the MRT Kajang Line and Putrajaya Lines, as well as holistic community townships like Gamuda Cove and Gamuda Gardens. Pushing the boundaries of innovative infrastructure solutions has always been part of Gamuda’s DNA.
“But innovation today means more than building structures; it’s about building possibilities. As we’ve expanded our digital capability, what was once purely physical is now transforming into the digital space,” said John Lim Ji Xiong, Group Chief Digital Officer of Gamuda.
This vision of digital-first innovation took centre stage at the Malaysia Digital Xceleration (MDX) Summit 2025, where Malaysiakini and Digital News Asia hosted a fireside chat with John Lim. He shared how initiatives like the Gamuda AI Academy, developed in strategic partnership with Google Cloud, are leading the charge in empowering people with the skills and mindset needed for tomorrow’s economy.
Cultivating Malaysia’s AI Talent
Gamuda AI Academy, launched in September last year, was designed to cultivate the local talent pool in artificial intelligence (AI) and support Malaysia’s digital transformation. Through collaboration with Google Cloud, the company is building a pipeline of skilled data engineers for the construction industry and beyond.
The Academy stands out as the first in the country to be selected by Google Cloud, an impressive milestone considering Gamuda’s roots in engineering excellence. Its success speaks for itself: in just a year since its inception, the Academy has expanded to East Malaysia with the launch of its second campus in Sabah and has seen over 200 AI-skilled graduates ready for the nation’s digital workforce.
The three-month curriculum focuses on full-stack AI development, covering front-end, back-end, and AI technologies. Run as a fully sponsored community project by Yayasan Gamuda, the programme is open to students, graduates, professionals, and start-up founders up to the age of 40 who are keen to gain AI expertise.
“As we nurture the next generation of AI professionals, we are not just imparting technical expertise. We aim to position Malaysia as a global hub for AI and digital innovation, thereby accelerating the transition towards a high-income nation, characterised by a high-skilled workforce,” said John Lim.
“If Gamuda, a company with a long history in the traditional industry, can successfully navigate this transformation, we believe others can, too. Having collaborated with a powerful ecosystem of tech players like Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), Google Cloud and Cloud Space, we believe that we have found the right synergies to drive this vision,” he said.
Where Engineering Legacy Meets Digital Future
When asked about competing in a market dominated by global giants, John Lim said Gamuda’s North Star has always been clear—to lead the region with innovative solutions.
“It’s the same vision that drove us to take on the SMART Tunnel as our first tunnelling project, and today we stand among the world’s strongest tunnelling companies. Technology is no different. For years, we’ve built our own capabilities with dedicated AI and cloud teams, supported by in-house software developers. At the heart of it all is one principle: creating real impact for our clients, our customers, and the local ecosystem.”
He added, “There’s a clear gap in the market for strong, homegrown technology companies. Countries like Singapore already have premier engineering and deep tech firms leading the way. In Malaysia, our goal is to be that pride—to build exceptional technologies, deliver world-class customer service with AI, and drive innovation at a pace on par with Silicon Valley.”
Building Malaysia’s First Autonomous TBM Software
One of Gamuda’s proudest achievements is the development of the world’s first autonomous tunnel boring machine (TBM) software,” says John Lim. What started as a local innovation is now making waves abroad, with the software running not only in Malaysia but also in projects across Australia, Singapore, and soon Taiwan. It’s a clear example of Malaysian engineering stepping confidently onto the global stage, proving that homegrown talent can compete with the best.
The TBM uses AI coding to help the massive machine to “think” and make adjustments on its own while digging underground. Instead of relying only on human operators, the system collects real-time data—like how fast the machine is moving, the pressure in the soil, or how smoothly the slurry is flowing and then automatically fine-tunes these settings to keep tunnelling safe and efficient. The AI operates like an autopilot, reacting faster than people can, while engineers still keep a close eye on everything to ensure the operation runs smoothly.
Looking ahead, Gamuda sees its role as more than just a builder of infrastructure—it’s a builder of talent, capability, and future-ready digital solutions. By investing in people, technology, and homegrown innovation, the company is helping Malaysia position itself as a hub for digital excellence, ensuring the next generation of engineers, developers, and AI specialists are equipped to lead on the global stage.
