Assoc. Prof. Dr Johari Abdullah
UNIMAS
Generative AI has rapidly emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our time, reshaping industries, education, and governance worldwide. For Sarawak, its adoption must be carefully aligned with the state’s strategic directions outlined in the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018–2022, the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, and the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030. These initiatives emphasize inclusive digital growth, sustainable development, and the building of a resilient knowledge-based society. This keynote will highlight how generative AI can be applied across governance, economic sectors, and education to accelerate Sarawak’s digital transformation. It will explore opportunities for enhancing public service delivery, creating new value in key industries, and equipping the workforce with future-ready skills. At the same time, it will stress the importance of governance frameworks, ethical adoption, and policies that safeguard fairness, accountability, and societal trust. By connecting global advancements in generative AI with Sarawak’s local aspirations, the session will provide insights on how the state can harness AI as a catalyst for innovation and human capital development, positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable digital transformation.
Dr. Johari Abdullah is currently serving as Associate Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science & IT, UNIMAS, Sarawak. He received his PhD (Computing Science) from Newcastle University (UK), his Master of IT from Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, and Bachelor of Computer Science (Networking) degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia. His interest in ICT includes Deep Learning, Generative AI, Cybersecurity, Trusted System, Blockchain Technology, Web System Design and development, System Architecture, problem solving using tools such as TRIZ, ICT education for children and youth through Computational Thinking, Scratch and Computer Science Unplugged, and also open-source system and software.
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors that play a strategic role in ensuring food security. However, with the increasing world's population, estimated to be 10 billion by 2050, agri-food demands are growing thus there is an urgent need to switch from traditional agricultural methods to smart agriculture practices. Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing and their convergence with the Internet of Things (IoT) offer vast opportunities to build decision support systems to solve many real-world problems including smart farming. Data analytics in agriculture plays a crucial role in precision farming. By employing algorithms and machine learning models, farmers can receive insights into crop yield predictions, disease detection, and optimal harvesting times. Agricultural transformation has become an important field that helps farmers to use latest and proven technologies to improve the yield and provides real-time systems and control communication with the physical world.
Mr. Mohamed Rawidean Mohd Kassim is a Leading Researcher and Innovator at MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia's national applied research and development centre, an achievement highlighted by his inclusion in the World's Top 2% Scientists for 2025 list by Stanford University. A distinguished expert in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, his work focuses on the practical application of these fields in Smart Farming and Precision Agriculture, where he has pioneered advanced systems for paddy yield prediction and IoT-based solutions to drive the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. Furthermore, Mr. Rawidean is a highly influential figure within the IEEE Computer Society, currently serving as the Regional Coordinator for Region 10 and having previously chaired the Malaysia Chapter from 2002–2013, actively promoting technology transfer and industry participation as an active DVP Speaker across Asia.
Mr. Mohamed Rawidean Mohd Kasim
Regional Coordinator R10, IEEE Computer Society