KUALA LUMPUR: Artificial intelligence (AI) can be the “best friend you never imagined possible”, say experts at a women-­focused AI forum.

Chen Yanling, founder of China-based AI psychological consulting service Scietrain, said technology is increasingly being used to support women, particularly wor­king mothers, in managing emotions and mental health.

“Women are often expected to take on the role of caregivers, and AI applications can now help us address these challenges,” she said.

Chen noted that women are twice as likely as men to experience depression due to factors such as pregnancy, menstruation, menopause and the pressures of raising children.

AI, she said, could play a vital role in providing timely intervention.

“For example, if a child expresses very dark thoughts, our system can trigger an alert by detecting the exact time and date of the statement, allowing parents or counsellors to respond quickly,” Chen said at Wanita MCA’s “AI & She: Empowering Women for a Smarter Tomorrow” forum yesterday.

However, Chen stressed that AI should not be seen as a replacement for counsellors but as a bridge for those unable to access professional support.

“Some people have designed digital companions to simulate the presence of a late parent. In the United States, long-haul truck drivers use AI companions to ease the loneliness of solitary journeys,” she added.

Trainer Vanne Yat shared that AI could simplify women’s daily lives, from household chores to family planning.

“You’re so tired of thinking what to cook. Just open your fridge and ask AI what dishes can be made with the ingredients you have.

“Women are already superwomen – we can multitask and do many things in a short time. With AI, women can fly!” she said.

Yat described AI as a “second brain” that could help women juggle multiple roles, from managing schedules and finances to assisting children with studies and planning family travel.

“AI is not just a tool – it is a partner that can help women realise their dreams. In the future, it will provide even more personalised and empathetic support while accelerating gender equality in the workplace and beyond,” she said.

Business intelligence consultant Chang Yun Yao said AI and data analytics could enhance organisational efficiency and decision-making, including within Wanita MCA itself.

“AI is like an engine that drives us forward. Business intelligence powered by AI can filter and visualise data, giving leaders clearer insights to make better decisions,” she said.

Chang noted that AI could streamline Wanita MCA’s internal operations, from collecting member data and profiling demographics to planning activities and generating reports.

She said AI tools could also automate publicity for events, design promotional material, analyse feedback surveys and create attendance records.

“By embracing AI, Wanita MCA can expand its influence and build stronger communities, whether through content creation, video scripts or public opinion analysis,” she said.

Chang urged women leaders to adopt AI gradually – beginning with collecting past data, starting with familiar tools and experimenting with platforms to analyse and visualise information.

“In the AI era, the most important thing is not technology itself but judgement and the ability to ask the right questions.

“If you are willing to engage with data and make sense of it, you will have the advantage of spotting problems and solving them ahead of others,” she added.