The Rise of AI and Rethinking the Humanities

Emeritus Professor Dato' Dr. Morshidi Bin Sirat
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Abstract :

The oft-quoted narratives to-date is the demise of the Humanities as a result of the disruption arising from the adoption of AI, particulaly generative AI, in emerging economies of the Asia Pacific.  This presentation, while acknowledging the potential negative impacts of  this technological wave on the Humanities in many universities (such as shrinking enrolment and  much reduced opportunities for employment among Humanities graduates in  economies  that are  adopting technological advancement),  it is critically important to explore and highlight evidence of  the Humanities and values connected with this discipline shaping and contributing to the much needed skills associated  with an AI-driven economy.   Do we have enough empirical evidence to support the notion that the Humanities discipline can continue to be offered in universities that are AI-focused? 

Biography :

Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr. Morshidi Bin Sirat began his academic career at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 1982 and retired in 2015 after nearly 33 years of service. In recognition of his contributions, USM awarded him the title of Emeritus Professor in 2022. He remains active in research, consultancy, and advisory work both nationally and internationally.

His foray into higher education policy began in the early 2000s as Director of the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN), where he led significant studies, including one on graduate unemployment that shaped national policy. He later held key leadership roles such as Deputy Director-General of Higher Education (2011), Director-General of Higher Education and Registrar General for Private Higher Education (2013), and Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). In 2014, he became the founding director of the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF), which promotes Malaysia’s higher education expertise across the Commonwealth.

Morshidi has advised numerous organizations, including UNESCO, the World Bank, ADB, ASEAN University Network, and SEAMEO-RIHED. He continues to support the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), contributing to national higher education reviews and strategies for internationalization. His recent work centers on SDG4 – Quality Education, flexible learning pathways, and student mobility.

A prolific scholar, Morshidi has published over 150 academic works and 50 technical reports. He serves on editorial boards of international higher education journals and frequently facilitates capacity-building workshops on university leadership, governance, and quality assurance. His work continues to influence higher education policy and practice in Malaysia and beyond.