Sarawak AI blueprint expected in second half of 2026, aims to position state as regional AI producer

KUCHING (March 20): The Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC) is targeting to roll out its artificial intelligence (AI) blueprint within the second half of 2026.

Its chief executive officer Dr Patrick Then said the Sarawak AI Blueprint 2026–2030 is currently being developed with input from stakeholders across both the public and private sectors.

“We are working on a blueprint where we are involving stakeholders from both public sectors and private sectors. So this blueprint comprises a few pillars.

“First is infrastructure, second is technology, third is talent, fourth is policy, and these pillars have to go hand-in-hand.

“We are targeting June-July this year (to officially announce the blueprint),” he told The Borneo Post in an exclusive interview recently.

Then added that the blueprint will outline a comprehensive roadmap to position the state as a regional producer of AI solutions.

He said the plan is aligned with Sarawak’s broader digital agenda, including the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 (SDE 2030), while also setting the foundation for developments beyond 2030.

“In terms of the AI Blueprint, we are also thinking about what comes after 2030. Of course, we have to achieve the goals and targets set by PCDS 2030 and SDE 2030. So that is roughly what is the flavour of the blueprint,” he added.

Then described Sarawak’s AI ecosystem as being at a nascent stage, and that SAIC is focused on building foundational capabilities across key sectors.

He stressed that SAIC plays a role of a catalyst in driving the state’s AI ambitions, adding that the industry is still evolving globally with no fixed model to follow.

“Different regions are taking different approaches. China is driven by strong government investment, while the United States focuses on valuation and private sector growth.

“If you look at other parts of the world, they are usually talking about adoption,” he said.

He noted that Sarawak aims to carve its own path by positioning itself as a producer of AI products and services.

“Even if we are not as large as major economies, we aim to become a producer, possibly achieving up to 80 per cent capability in developing AI products and services.

“To certain extent, we can even export our AI products and services to the rest of Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific or the world.

“That is the end game for SAIC. We start from Sarawak, then go regional and then international. The dream is there, the vision is there,” he said.

artificial intelligence lead onsite SAIC Sarawak AI Blueprint 2026–2030 Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre