"It is my aspiration for this state to have a clear and structured AI Action Plan. The potential of AI is not only utilised to enhance administrative efficiency but also to stimulate innovation, attract technology-based investments, and create high-skilled job opportunities for the people.

"I want to see the state's public service move towards the concept of an AI-Augmented Government', an administration that empowers the capabilities of civil servants through the use of AI," he said while speaking at the Majlis Apresiasi Minggu I³ Tahun 2026 here today.

The event was also attended by Negeri Sembilan state secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim.

Ismail said that the use of AI in administration needs to be expanded to help analyse public complaints, identify delays in work processes, and make data-driven decisions through the concept of AI-Augmented Government.

He said that the technology not only has the potential to stimulate innovation, attract technology-based investments, and create high-skilled job opportunities for the people, but its use must also be accompanied by an increase in the competencies of public servants and strict control over the security and confidentiality of government data.

Meanwhile, he said digital transactions through the e-PTGNS portal increased by nearly 75 per cent from around 130,000 transactions in 2022 to over 230,000 transactions in 2025.

He also said that the Tampin District Council and the Kuala Pilah District Council received recognition through the Malaysian Smart City Rating Award 2026 on Nov 4.

Additionally, the Seremban City Council, Rembau District Council, and Port Dickson District and Land Office received Gold Awards at the 2026 National Bureaucratic Reform Conference, while the Negeri Sembilan Syariah Judiciary Department received a Platinum Award last October. The Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council (MAINS) was crowned the Champion of the 2026 Innovative and Creative Group Service Delivery Award (KIK) through the e-Takaf (waqf land) innovation.

-- BERNAMA