KUCHING: The Sarawak AI Blueprint will serve as an important framework in ensuring that the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the state is implemented in a planned approach to support future economic growth.

Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said that AI is no longer just an option, but will instead become a significant pillar of economic growth, therefore its implementation must be carefully planned to enable all parties to move towards the same aspiration.

"If we decide to do it, we ensure it is implemented at the best level.

"But how will we ensure that we will do the best? The first thing we need to do is plan.

"So we want this idea of ​​AI adaptation in Sarawak to be a well-prepared action plan where everyone can move in the same direction and achieve the same aspirations or better," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Blueprint Kick-Off Journey Event programme organised by Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre Sdn. Bhd. (SAIC) and Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU), here, on Monday.

He added that the master plan would be developed based on the views and feedback from various parties which would be formulated to produce a clear direction for AI development for Sarawak.

Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah said that the success of AI development depended on the provision of a strong digital infrastructure, skilled human capital as well as the involvement of industry players, academic institutions and the community.

In the meantime, he stressed that data integrity and security needed to be given attention because the quality of data would determine the accuracy of the results generated by the AI ​​system, besides encouraging a culture of responsible data sharing.

He also stressed that the framework of the master plan needed to be developed transparently to ensure the fair participation of all parties.

The programme, which brought together over 250 participants from Sarawak Government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), industry players, academic institutions and research institutions, marked the beginning of the development of the Sarawak AI Blueprint, which will chart the direction for the use of AI to drive the state’s economic development in line with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and Sarawak’s priorities under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

The blueprint will be developed around five key pillars, namely government transformation, technology, data and cybersecurity, policy and governance, economic sector and business development, as well as development foundations that include AI infrastructure, talent and skills, innovation, research and development, and culture.

Also present during the programme were SAIC Chief Executive Officer Professor Dr Patrick Then, SCSDU Director Datu Grace Huong Siew Hung, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) General Manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong, Sarawak Information Systems Chief Executive Officer Busiai Seman, Sarawak Business Federation Vice President Dr Lu Jye Ying, Chief Scientist and Chief Advisor of the Digital Economy Professor Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, PwC Malaysia Executive Chairman Nurul A'in Abdul Latif, heads of departments and senior leaders of the Sarawak Government. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Nur Nabilla
Translator: Nerissa Sia