KUCHING: Sarawak is looking into a shift towards adopting an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grid model as a future digital technology approach, with conventional data centres expected to become obsolete within the next five to six years.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the state government already has its own data centre, but he believes the model may no longer remain relevant in the long term.

“What I mean is, from that perspective, instead of using 200 megawatts of electricity, it would be better for us to use it for our own pilot satellite project,” he said.

He said this when met by reporters after the Closing Ceremony of Protect Sarawak 2026 – International Conference on Data Privacy and Digital Trust, held here on Wednesday.

The Sarawak Premier added that several European Union countries such as Italy and Spain have already begun using AI grid networks, which are expected to expand worldwide.

He said Sarawak would adopt suitable existing models for future use in the state to spearhead digital development and future innovation.

Elaborating further in his keynote address, the Sarawak Premier said the AI Grid would become a new technology where data is stored through cloud systems supported by nanosatellites in low Earth orbit.

Through the system, he said data can be accessed in real time using high-speed signals from orbit to Earth, with the development further driven by advances in Large Language Models (LLM) which expand the capabilities of artificial intelligence in rapid data processing.

“Because of that, I think we may no longer need data centres because everything will be interconnected.

“Just imagine, if you want to know about me, you simply ‘ketek ajak’ (access online) and everything will be available. That is what will happen in the future,” he said.

The Sarawak Premier also anticipated that global data dominance would continue to be concentrated in large technology companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google and Microsoft, although small companies could potentially catch up with this development through new innovations. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Nerissa Sia