Abang Johari is briefed by Afzal during his visit to the British Muslim Heritage Centre. – Ukas photo

KUCHING (May 5): Data is emerging as a critical new resource shaping Sarawak’s economic direction as the state adapts to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said AI has fundamentally transformed the global economic landscape over the past decade, driven by rapid progress in semiconductor technology and increasingly advanced data storage capabilities.

According to him, this shift is now entering a new phase, where AI is no longer merely a supporting technology but is evolving into a critical element in determining development strategies.

“Five years ago, we were only talking about AI, but today it has become very important.

“Over the past ten years, AI has evolved to a higher level, and in the next five years, it will develop into strategic intelligence,” he said, according to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report.

He said this during a strategic engagement session with industry players led by Manchester Rusholme Member of Parliament Afzal Khan at the British Muslim Heritage Centre in Manchester, UK on Monday (local time).

Abang Johari stressed that data now plays a dual role where it serves not only as a driver of economic growth but also as a foundation for more effective social responsibility development.

“Data is a new resource that allows us to move forward, whether in economic development or in fulfilling our social responsibilities,” he said.

He added that building a robust technology ecosystem encompassing chips, data centres and information management systems is essential to ensure the effectiveness of such initiatives.

At the same time, he said Sarawak will continue to strengthen its capabilities through human capital development, including sending students abroad to enhance intellectual capacity and ownership of intellectual property.

The session also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening strategic collaboration and exploring new opportunities that would benefit Sarawak and the wider global community.

Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; State Financial Secretary Dato Sri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; and Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.