KUCHING: A new digital upskilling initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities has been launched this week by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak.
In collaboration with the Joel Yi Foundation, a US-based organisation focused on tech and AI talent development, the Deploy AI Academy aims to equip young people with essential digital skills.
The programme runs over 12 weeks, with sessions held twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and is offered free of charge to registered participants.
The Joel Yi Foundation helps young people build skills for careers, especially in AI. It also works to reduce human trafficking risks by linking youth with trusted international employers, allowing them to earn legitimate income through remote work.
The partnership was formed through discussions aimed at expanding access to AI learning, especially for Sarawak’s youth. Initially, AZAM is focusing on participants from its AZAM Young Souls (AYS) programme, with plans to expand to a wider audience later.
Designed as a comprehensive learning platform, the programme offers hands-on experience in building AI agents, aiming to equip youth with skills to create bots that can automate their work.
By the end of the programme, participants will build a clawbot that can perform tasks on its own. The programme also focuses on employability, offering exposure to career paths and opportunities in the tech and innovation sectors.
The first cohort comprises 20 participants from diverse backgrounds, including graphic designers, scientists and individuals interested in digital innovation, reflecting the growing interest in AI among the community.
The opening session introduced participants to the fundamentals of AI, establishing a strong foundation before progressing into more advanced stages of AI application development in the weeks ahead.
This initiative shows AZAM Sarawak’s commitment to staying relevant in a changing communication landscape. While AI is not new to AZAM, it has long been used to deliver information more effectively to the public.
This approach also strengthens AZAM’s role in promoting participatory communication, ensuring that technology is not only used to disseminate information, but also to enhance engagement and interaction within the community.
AZAM Sarawak’s Strategic Communication, Media and Youth Relations Manager, Mohd Hassnal Hakim Junaidi, who is currently in the Philippines leading a youth delegation at the Toastmasters International District 75 Conference, emphasised the importance of global exposure in shaping future-ready individuals.
“At the same time that we are strengthening technical skills such as AI, we are also bringing our youth to the international stage to observe, learn and engage with global communities. This is crucial in building confidence, broadening perspectives, and preparing them to compete at a higher level.
“What we are doing today is not just about skill development, but about shaping a generation that can think, communicate and act within a global context,” he said.
This initiative further reinforces AZAM Sarawak’s role as a catalyst for knowledge-based community development, while upholding its ‘Movement for Progress’ philosophy in expanding access to inclusive and impactful digital learning.
