Sarawak Sovereign AI Workshop key outcomes to be submitted to Premier

KUCHING (Jan 22): SMD Semiconductor will compile a consolidated summary of key outcomes and agreed directions from the Sarawak Sovereign AI Workshop for submission to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The workshop brought together key public-sector stakeholders and industry partners to strengthen Sarawak’s long-term readiness for strategic artificial intelligence (AI) development.

SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer Shariman Jamil, who represented company chairman Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, led the engagement.

In a statement, SMD Semiconductor said the workshop was initiated based on its hands-on experience in advanced semiconductors, AI systems and talent development, and served as a focused forum for structured discussions on real-world AI deployment and coordinated implementation.

Key areas deliberated included infrastructure readiness, computing requirements, energy planning, data management, and system deployment, in line with Sarawak’s broader digital and innovation agenda.

“The objective of the engagement was to foster a shared, end-to-end understanding of the operating environment required to support AI systems, while providing a platform for constructive exchange on strategic priorities, planning considerations and implementation readiness,” SMD Semiconductor said.

The session also featured sharing by South Korea-based Rebellions Inc, involving its global APAC business lead Rufina Kim and global programme manager for the forward deployed engineering team Paul Kuper.

Among those present were Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred) permanent secretary Datu Lester Matthew and Deputy Sarawak Attorney-General Datu John Wayne Chamberlin Sirau.

SMD Semiconductor, incorporated in September 2022, is a wholly owned company of the Sarawak government through the State Financial Secretary (Incorporation) Ordinance and specialises in analogue and mixed-signal integrated circuit design.