KUCHING: Sarawak is structuring a more comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem to nurture a local generation that not only uses technology, but is also capable of developing its own AI solutions.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, stated that efforts to strengthen local AI talent and the ecosystem must begin with exposure, practical skills, and networking with industry players.
According to him, the AI For Makers programme held in conjunction with the Borneo Makers Festival serves as a platform to empower Sarawakian youth in the field through collaboration between the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) and the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC).
“To realise this vision, three core approaches will be implemented: enhancing public AI awareness and literacy, fostering practical skills through the AI Builders Club, and utilizing TEGAS as an AI Talent Hub to act as a knowledge-sharing centre with industry experts,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the Opening Ceremony of AI For Makers: Borneo Makers Festival 2026, which was officiated by Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, at TEGAS Digital Village, here on Sunday.
Datuk Len, who is also TEGAS Chairman, added that the program contents were enriched through AI Talks, Forums & Spotlights, AI Skills & Tools Workshops, as well as AI Exhibitions & Experiences, including an AI test-drive zone.
“Also held were the AI Code Hackathon and AI Create/Creative competitions, divided into two categories—school and university levels—involving a total of 20 teams with 60 participants,” he noted.
He further added that this approach is vital to building a robust community of AI practitioners across Sarawak, in addition to giving young talents room to explore technology through hands-on experience.
He emphasised that the state’s digital transformation cannot rely solely on infrastructure provision, but must instead be supported by human capital equipped with the skills to master and develop such technology.
The programme targeted at least 5,000 visitors over two days, comprising students, educators, university and college undergraduates, government agencies, entrepreneurs, the general public, as well as strategic partners of TEGAS and SAIC.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Transport and Deputy Chairman of TEGAS Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) and TEGAS Secretary Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and TEGAS Treasurer Datuk Snowdan Lawan, members of the TEGAS Board of Trustees, Chief Executive Officer of TEGAS Udin Bujang, as well as other dignitaries. — UKASnews
