KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 12 -- Malaysians are significantly more optimistic than the global average that artificial intelligence (AI) will create jobs in 2026, a new Ipsos survey shows.

The survey found that 67 per cent of Malaysians believe AI will lead to more job opportunities next year, a stark contrast to the global view, which is almost evenly split between optimism and doubt.

Ipsos attributed this confidence to Malaysia's faster pace of AI adoption, which it estimates is growing by around 35 per cent annually.

Ipsos Malaysia managing director Arun Menon linked this positive outlook to recent economic and policy developments.

"Malaysians are entering 2026 with renewed confidence," he said.

"Targeted support measures such as SARA and ...