KUALA LUMPUR: The first World AI Conference 2021 South East Asia (WAIC 2021 SEA) opened virtually on July 8, 2021.
As part of the World AI Conference Shanghai 2021, the conference brings to audiences strategic insight into the exciting technologies and innovations that will move the region forward.
Co-organised with Skymind Holdings Berhad, the Southeast Asia arm of Skymind Global, WAIC 2021 SEA will be the place for stakeholders from the region comprising academia, government and the private sector convene to explore the role of technology in the new global era and how it can be deployed to create a better future for all.
In his keynote address at the virtual event titled, "Malaysia, the next AI frontier: Bridging innovation to the rest of Southeast Asia and beyond", Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad shared the state's commitment in developing the Johor Digital Agenda as a platform to foster creative innovation and "...carve its position as the front runner in the region's digital transformation game."
The agenda, according to Hasni, also supports the National 4IR Policy, which highlights 10 focus sectors to harness 4IR technologies, towards balanced, responsible and sustainable growth of Malaysia.
Realising that innovation in digital transformation is essential to the state as it can help to improve the quality of life of the people, Johor aspires to be recognised as a digital powerhouse and creative innovation hub.
"As of the moment, Johor prides itself to be the home of Kulai Iskandar Data Exchange (Kidex) at Sedenak. The 700 acres project is expected to be fully operational in 2023. It is developed by TPM Technopark, a company owned by Johor Corporation, with ideation and planning supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation," said Hasni.
Kidex is one of the main components in Malaysia's data hub. Leveraging on the strategic location, Kidex has received investment interest from both local and overseas data centre developers, support services as well as segments related to the data industry, which includes the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, data storage, Virtual and Augmented Reality, E-commerce, Artificial Intelligence, as well as software engineering.
Touting a new era of artificial intelligence, the WAIC 2021 SEA highlights issues in discourse sessions with topics focusing on the outlook for AI talent in the region, sharing developments as well as updates in efforts to bring the bold vision of innovation driven economy powered by AI, to reality.
Amongst those speaking at the event include Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of economy Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed; Entrepreneurial Development, Cooperative and Human Resource Committee, Datuk Mohd Izhar Ahmad; Hong Leong Group Chief Digital & Innovation Officer Benjamin Keller; USM Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan and other scientists, entrepreneurs, and officials from government and international organisations, sharing insights on the technology's role in forging finer future outlook for all.