KUCHING: This city will play host to Borneo’s first AI Vibe Design Hackathon on Sept 6.
The not-for-profit hackathon is co-organised by AIGents of Change from Singapore and AZAM Sarawak, in partnership with Lovart AI and Newhero AI. It is supported by the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) and the Singapore Global Network (SGN) under the Singapore Economic Development Board.
To be held at Makeramai Makerspace here, the event offers participants a creative space equipped for maker activities such as 3D printing, electronics, workshops, and multimedia production. Local tech community Kenyalang Dev also lends its grassroots support to the initiative.
A major highlight will be the launch of Usei Usei Cat, the event’s official mascot. Created by AI Visionary Society chief executive officer Soh Wan Wei with Lovart AI, the character represents a heart-centered, slow-living philosophy that embodies the soul of Vibe Design.
“There is an Usei Usei Cat in all of us. In a world obsessed with hustle and deadlines, Usei Usei Cat reminds us to pause, breathe, and embrace intentional living,” said Soh in a statement.
Named after the Sarawakian colloquial term “usei usei” meaning chill or slow and steady, and “kucing” (Malay for cat), the mascot reflects a gentle homage to Kuching — the “Cat City” — and its laid-back spirit.
Sarawak was chosen as the launchpad for this regional-first event due to its rich artistic heritage and forward-thinking digital policies.
“Sarawak is a land of living design, where culture and technology can co-exist meaningfully.
“This hackathon is more than a tech sprint — it’s a platform for youth to exchange ideas, build friendships, and use AI responsibly to solve real-world problems,” said Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM) as the co-host of the hackathon.
The top three winning teams will receive Singapore–Sarawak Friendship Gift Boxes curated by Sluvi, featuring handmade Sarawakian self-care products, and JOURNEY merchandise from Singapore — an award-winning initiative that empowers artists of diverse abilities under TOUCH Community Services.
