KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit opened with a call for youths and entrepreneurs to turn curiosity into innovation rather than fear, as technology reshapes how business and sustainability are defined.
Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who officiated the event, said AI is no longer just a buzzword but a bridge connecting Sabah’s industries, from palm oil and cocoa to timber and rubber, towards a smarter and more competitive future.
He pointed out that Sabah’s 199,000 hectares of oil palm and more than 31,000 smallholders could benefit from schemes like TSPKS 2.0 and digital integration, supported by the RM120 million allocation under the Madani Budget 2026 to boost smallholder resilience.
Sharing his visit to the world’s first AI-driven smart palm oil mill in Perak, Chan said the example proves that automation can lift efficiency, cut labour dependency, and create room for local breakthroughs if adopted boldly.
Sabah Entrepreneurs Transformation President Datuk George Lim told participants that AI is not here to replace people but to amplify human creativity, urging SMEs to rethink sustainability with the confidence that progress can be both smart and inclusive.
