Proton’s EV arm Pro-NET is teaming up with Alibaba Cloud to power Malaysia’s national EV platform with artificial intelligence and cloud services, aiming to make owning and running an electric car simpler, smarter and more connected.
Announced on Dec 3 at the Alibaba Cloud AI Day in Kuala Lumpur, the tie-up means everything from apps, customer service and back-end systems to future in-car infotainment could eventually run on Alibaba’s cloud and AI tools.
The event was witnessed by Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak anak Kumbong, who pointed out that the move by Pro-NET was not just a tech deal but part of the wider national digital and EV push.
Alibaba Cloud has been supporting Pro-NET from the early days, hosting its data and systems.
That “cloud-first” setup now moves into a more serious AI phase.
The first step is an internal chatbot built on Alibaba Cloud’s Model Studio, helping staff get faster answers and make decisions more quickly. Later, similar AI tools are expected to face customers directly, from online support to features built into future EVs’ infotainment systems.
“Supporting Malaysia’s goal to become an AI Nation by 2030 requires strong national partnerships and solid infrastructure that drive innovation and technological advancement,” said Dr Feifei Li, SVP of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group and president of its international business.
Pro-NET chief executive officer Zhang Qiang said Alibaba Cloud’s role has been “instrumental” in building its digital foundation and that the next AI-driven phase would help the company “unlock deeper insights” and “elevate customer experiences” as Malaysia’s new energy ecosystem grows.
Beyond chatbots, the collaboration would also tap Alibaba’s wider AI platforms, including Qwen and Platform for AI, to improve operations, predict vehicle and charging needs, and tailor services for drivers as Malaysia ramps up its EV transition.
