KUCHING: Up to 40 participants are putting artificial intelligence (AI) to work on real business challenges at the two-day Singapore-Sarawak Friendship AI Business Design Hackathon 2026 here.
Organised by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak in collaboration with ANCHR AI Labs Singapore and Ibrandium, the programme began today with 10 participating teams.
Each team is working with a Sarawak-based business to identify its challenges before developing functional digital solutions using AI.
Unlike an approach centred solely on technology, the hackathon requires participants to first understand the needs of the businesses before determining how AI and other digital tools can be applied.
AZAM Sarawak’s Strategic Communication Manager, Hassnal Hakim Junaidi, said the programme aims to give people from different backgrounds practical exposure to emerging AI technologies.
“We do not want AI to remain something people only talk about. We want participants to experience it, understand it and see how it can help solve real-world problems.
“AI is not only for programmers. Entrepreneurs, graduates, young professionals and those in the creative industries can also use these technologies to work more effectively and develop new solutions,” he said in a statement.
Participants have access to Kimi AI, developed by Moonshot AI, through API credits provided to the teams to support the development of websites, digital applications and other AI-enabled solutions.
The opening day also features training in AI, business design and solution development led by Ibrandium founder, Afiq Khatem.
Participants will subsequently work with their assigned businesses before presenting their solutions for judging on the second day.
The programme also saw the launch of the Singapore-Sarawak AI Youth Ambassador Network (SAIYAN), aimed at continuing cross-border collaboration beyond the hackathon.
SAIYAN is envisioned as a longer-term platform connecting young people in Sarawak and Singapore through training, business projects, mentorship, cross-border exchanges and other collaborations.
Hakim said connecting Singapore’s established technology and business ecosystem with Sarawak’s growing talent and industries could create further opportunities for both sides.
“By connecting both ecosystems, we hope to see meaningful collaborations and new opportunities emerge,” he said.
The hackathon, now in its second edition following its inaugural event in 2025, continues tomorrow with solution development, mentoring and final presentations by all 10 teams.
