THE inaugural AI Horizon 2026 brought together participants from more than 20 countries and representatives from over 120 technology companies, universities and organisations to explore the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the region.
Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, who is also the organising chairman of AI Horizon 2026, said the two-day conference is providing a platform where ideas meet opportunities, industries discover solutions, and people come together to shape the future of AI.
“We’re working for one thing – the future. And the future lies now, today, in technology,” he said.
Jagdeep said Penang had embarked on its technology-driven journey decades ago and had since gone one step further by producing semiconductor chips used worldwide in various devices.
“We have to embrace AI and ensure that it does not take control over us. In Penang, we have a good ecosystem to do it. We cannot work in silos; we work with the world. We want collaboration and partnership.
“AI has penetrated every sector of our lives – whether in education, medical facilities or mobile phones. They all require semiconductor chips. Now, it is from AI to SI … super intelligence,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of technology as the way forward, Jagdeep said Penang had signed a raft of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with cities during his recent visits to Shenzhen and Shanghai in China, as well as India.
Penang, he said, currently has more than 450 multinational corporations (MNCs) and 7,500 small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
He thanked Tech Dome Penang for organising the event, as well as the participants, stakeholders and sponsors for making it a reality.
“I hope there will be a lot of constructive discussions during the conference,” he said.
Jagdeep later presented tokens of appreciation to Sandisk, the gold sponsor, and Intel and Exabytes, the silver sponsors, following the opening ceremony. He also expressed his appreciation to the other strategic partners.
The conference continues tomorrow, aiming to accelerate AI adoption, help businesses understand how AI can improve productivity, encourage innovation, create meaningful partnerships, attract investment, commercialise solutions, and ensure the benefits of AI reach every level of society.
Among the distinguished guests present were China’s consul general in Penang Zhou Youbin; Japan’s consul general in Penang Machida Shinya; United Kingdom honorary consul in Penang David Lacey; Malaysian Finnish Business Council vice-president Petri Karjalainen; Sandisk senior director & assistant general counsel (legal) Alhadi Harun; Advanced Packaging Technology & Manufacturing Intel Corporation global senior facilities director Vincent Saw; Exabytes Group sales manager Patricia Loh; Tech Dome Penang chief executive officer Khoo Boo Wooi; Penang STEM chief executive officer Datuk Richard Chung; Penang Chief Minister’s senior confidential secretary Mohd Balkish Othman and state Communications Division director and Chief Minister’s press secretary Yap Lee Ying; as well as representatives from government-linked companies and partner organisations.
Story by K.H. Ong
