KUCHING: Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre Sdn. Bhd. (SAIC), Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) and the Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU), convened on Saturday, business leaders and industry representatives to strengthen participation in Sarawak's artificial intelligence (AI) agenda and encourage broader involvement in the upcoming Sarawak AI Blueprint Kick-Off Journey.

According to a statement, the engagement session provided a platform for dialogue between government, industry and business stakeholders on the opportunities, challenges and future implications of AI adoption across Sarawak's economy.

“The initiative reflects the Sarawak State Government's commitment to accelerating digital transformation and AI adoption while ensuring businesses remain prepared to harness emerging technologies for future growth and competitiveness.

“The session also served as an avenue to introduce the Sarawak AI Blueprint Kick-Off Journey, scheduled to be held on 27 July 2026, which aims to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia and the technology ecosystem to explore opportunities, challenges and practical pathways for AI adoption in Sarawak,” it said on Saturday.

The initiative is aligned with the vision of the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, to position Sarawak as a leader in digital transformation and emerging technologies.

Through the establishment of SAIC and the development of the Sarawak AI Blueprint, the state government continues to drive AI adoption, strengthen innovation capabilities and create new opportunities for economic growth, public sector transformation and long-term competitiveness.

Speaking during the session, SAIC Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr Patrick Then emphasised the importance of industry participation in shaping Sarawak's AI future.

"Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries and economies worldwide. To fully realise its potential, collaboration between government, industry and academia is essential.

"The Sarawak AI Blueprint Kick-Off Journey is an important platform to engage stakeholders and gather insights that will help shape Sarawak's AI future,” he said.

Dr Patrick Then added that meaningful engagement with the business community is essential to understanding industry needs, identifying adoption challenges and ensuring future AI initiatives remain practical, relevant and impactful.

The statement also noted that the Sarawak AI Blueprint aims to support the achievement of the strategic goals outlined under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint (SDE) 2030 through a coordinated approach to artificial intelligence adoption, enabling greater productivity, innovation, public service transformation, business competitiveness and inclusive economic growth across the state.

“As part of efforts to broaden industry participation and outreach, SBF has agreed to disseminate information on the programme through its member associations and business networks, helping to increase awareness and engagement among businesses throughout the state,” it said.

Meanwhile, SBF President Dato Jonathan Chai welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the importance of ensuring Sarawak's business community remains prepared for the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies.

"AI is already transforming the way businesses operate and is no longer a future consideration. Businesses that embrace AI will be better positioned to improve productivity, remain competitive and capture new opportunities in an increasingly digital economy.

"SBF is pleased to support initiatives that promote greater awareness and understanding of AI among the business community. We encourage our members to participate actively in the Sarawak AI Blueprint Kick-Off Journey and contribute their perspectives towards shaping Sarawak's AI future,” he said.

SCSDU Deputy Director Adrian Chung highlighted the importance of continued engagement between government and industry in advancing AI adoption.

"Engagement sessions such as this are important in ensuring a coordinated approach towards AI adoption, where government and industry can work together to align priorities, identify opportunities and address challenges."

"By strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors, we can develop policies and initiatives that are practical, relevant and supportive of Sarawak's digital transformation aspirations,” he explained.

The engagement session also provided an opportunity for business leaders and association representatives to share views on AI readiness, workforce development, digital transformation challenges and the support mechanisms required to accelerate AI adoption among businesses in Sarawak.

Through the support of SCSDU and collaboration with industry stakeholders, the Sarawak AI Blueprint Kick-Off Journey marks the beginning of a broader engagement effort aimed at fostering awareness, encouraging collaboration and gathering insights that will contribute towards the development of a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem for Sarawak.