KUCHING: Sarawak is set to pioneer the implementation of a digital screening programme for children based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology, implemented through a game-based approach, in collaboration with Japanese company ToyEight.

Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the programme marks the first in Malaysia and is possibly the first in the region.

"It is hoped that Sarawak will be the first to implement this model comprehensively.

"According to Toy Eight Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer Shun Matsuzaka, after the implementation of the previous pilot project, the collaboration programme with SeDidik is expected to be completed and ready to be fully implemented by June 2027," she said.

She said this in a press conference after a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg at the Kompleks Satria Pertiwi, here, on Wednesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between SeDidik Sdn Bhd and ToyBox Creations and Technologies Sdn Bhd (ToyEight Holdings Inc.) to implement a developmental screening and intervention programme using AI technology.

Dato Sri Fatimah added that an impact analysis will be conducted after the collaboration programme is carried out with the results of the previous pilot project having a very positive impact.

She said that this model also has the potential to be expanded not only in Sarawak, but also outside Sarawak, including in Japan itself.

"If before we looked to Japan as a reference, now Japan can also look at what is being implemented in Sarawak," she explained. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Nerissa Sia