KUCHING: Sarawak will host the 8th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak 2025 (IDECS25) from October 22 to 23 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and green innovation in shaping future growth.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, said the conference, themed ‘AI & Green Innovation: Growth, Challenges and Community Resilience’, is expected to attract 10,000 participants, including delegates, speakers, exhibitors and visitors.
“AI is among the most current enabling technologies that greatly influence our lives today. Sarawak and Malaysia should not be left behind in understanding AI.
“We need to be exposed to the latest developments in AI – not only the benefits and opportunities but also the possible negative impacts. It is important to be aware of both the advantages and challenges brought about by AI, as it increasingly shapes human life over time,” he said.
He said this during a press conference on IDECS25 at LCDA Tower, The Isthmus here today.
Julaihi said 20 per cent of participants are expected from overseas, with delegations anticipated from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, the United States, China and others.
He also said that among the 120 invited speakers are James Barrat, author of ‘Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era’; Dr Ayesha Khanna, AI expert and CEO of Addo; and Dr Justin Cohen, a global authority on human transformation.
“The event will also feature 120 exhibitors, with the Bioeconomy Corporation under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) as IDECS25’s official partner,” he said.
Julaihi said the conference will include the Digital Economy Awards (DEA 2025), with seven categories offering trophies, certificates and RM10,000 cash prizes.
“The seven categories are Digital Technology Transformation Award, Research and Development and Commercialisation Award, Entrepreneurship and Startup Award, Digital Government Award, Digital Creative Content Award, Environmental Sustainability Award, and Digital Leadership Award,” he said.
From among the winners, one will be selected for the Premier’s Digital Economy Award, which comes with an all-expenses-paid trip to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to 5, 2026.
The conference will be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on October 22, preceded by a Leaders Masterclass on October 21 focusing on AI and human transformation.
