Kuching, Sarawak – The Social Security Management International Conference 2024 (SSMiC 2024), with the theme “Social Security in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” was successfully held on 18 and 19 September 2024 at the prestigious Riverside Majestic Hotel. Organized as a landmark event in the field of social security management, SSMiC 2024 brought together industry leaders, academics, practitioners, and policymakers to address pressing challenges and explore opportunities within the rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancements.
Program Objectives and Justification
The primary objectives of the conference were:
- To identify current challenges and opportunities in managing social security in line with the ever-changing socio-economic environment, sophisticated technology, and global political complexities.
- To raise awareness among human resource managers, practitioners, and academics about the importance of proactive and continuous measures in managing social security for organizations and countries.
- To provide networking and collaboration opportunities for various stakeholders to advance the field of social security management through research, training, consulting, and development.
- To publish scholarly works on social security management that address local issues with global perspectives in refereed journals and books as collections of articles.
SSMiC 2024 aimed to tackle critical concerns in the social security domain, emphasizing the need for robust, forward-looking strategies in the face of emerging challenges and the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
Day 1: Networking Dinner
The conference commenced with a Networking Dinner on the evening of 18 September 2024, setting the stage for meaningful collaboration among attendees. The dinner was graced by notable dignitaries, including:
- Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Foad Sakdan, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM),
- Dr. Azlan binti Darus, Head of the Prevention, Medical, and Rehabilitation Division of the Social Security Organization (SOCSO),
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shuhymee bin Ahmad, Dean of the School of Business Management (SBM),
- Representatives of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UniMAS), and
- Participants of SSMiC 2024.
The Networking Dinner provided a unique platform for academic and industry leaders to engage in fruitful discussions and forge partnerships aimed at advancing social security research and practices. Conversations at the dinner laid the groundwork for future collaboration across diverse fields and institutions.
Day 2: Conference Highlights
The official conference proceedings were held on 19 September 2024 and were inaugurated by Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Haji Fadilah bin Haji Yusof, the Deputy Prime Minister II. His opening address emphasized the importance of adapting social security systems to meet the challenges posed by technological disruption and AI, while also promoting sustainability and inclusivity in social security management.
The event also witnessed the attendance of prominent figures, including:
- Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohd Fo’ad bin Sakdan, Vice-Chancellor of UUM,
- Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman bin Aziz Mohammed, Chief Executive of SOCSO,
- Representatives from UniMAS,
- Experts from key organizations in the field of social security, such as SOCSO and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
The conference attracted 67 participants from various sectors, including researchers, social security practitioners, policymakers, and academics, underscoring the widespread interest in addressing the challenges of social security in the AI era.
Keynote Speeches
The morning session featured two enlightening keynote speeches that set the tone for the day’s discussions:
-
The Impact of Changes in Socioeconomics on Future Social Security
Delivered by Dr. Ejiru U. Oslobe, Assistant Professor at Baker University, United States, this keynote examined how shifting socio-economic trends are influencing the design and implementation of social security systems worldwide. Dr. Oslobe highlighted the critical need for adaptive policies that account for population aging, global economic uncertainties, and evolving labor market dynamics. -
Transforming Social Security: Embracing Artificial Intelligence for a Resilient Future
Presented by SOCSO Chief Executive Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman bin Aziz Mohammed, this address delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing social security systems. He emphasized how AI-driven technologies can improve efficiency, strengthen fraud detection, and enable data-driven decision-making, while also addressing ethical and privacy concerns.
Both keynote speeches provided valuable insights and sparked engaging discussions among participants.
Afternoon Forum: Social Security in the AI Era
The afternoon session featured a dynamic forum titled “Social Security Management (SSM) in AI Era: Issues, Challenges and Sustainability.” Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dayang Affizzah Awang Marikan, a lecturer from the Faculty of Economics and Business at UniMAS, the forum explored the multifaceted implications of AI in social security management.
The panelists included:
- Dr. Azlan Darus, representing SOCSO, who shared practical insights on leveraging AI to improve social security services and enhance operational efficiency.
- Puan Balqais Yusoff, Head of the Strategic Management Department at EPF, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into long-term financial planning and retirement systems.
The forum encouraged robust dialogue among participants, highlighting critical issues such as the ethical use of AI, safeguarding data privacy, and ensuring equitable access to social security benefits in an AI-driven world.
