GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s global semiconductor ecosystem and international presence are positioning the state to stay ahead in the artificial intelligence (AI) race, said Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Jagdeep, who is also chairman of AI Horizon 2026, said Penang, despite being a small state that could barely be seen on a standard world map, had a global impact through its semiconductor industry.
“Penang provides 10% of all semiconductor chips in the whole world, not just Malaysia, not Southeast Asia, but in the whole world,” he said when officiating AI Horizon 2026 and the AI World Series exhibition here today.
Jagdeep said AI had already penetrated virtually every sector, including education and healthcare, and the rapid pace of technological advancement meant Penang had to continue embracing it.
“We have to embrace it and ensure that it does not take control over us. That’s the most important challenge I can see, and I think the whole world is talking about that,” he added.
Jagdeep said Penang’s existing ecosystem, comprising about 450 multinational companies and 7,500 small and medium enterprises, gave the state a strong platform to learn from international partners and bring global best practices to Penang.
“We have the whole world in Penang,” he said, pointing to the presence of representatives from China, Japan, Britain and Finland at the event.
“If you want to go to the world, no need to go to any other country. Come to Penang, because everyone is here in Penang, as simple as that.”
He said Penang had also been strengthening its international industrial and education links, citing recent visits to China and India during which memoranda of understanding were signed.
Jagdeep said two MoUs had been signed in China, including in Shanghai and Shenzhen, while four were signed in India, particularly relating to industry.
He added that discussions were also being held with British counterparts following his recent visit to the United Kingdom.
Jagdeep said such international engagement was important as technology continued to advance rapidly from high tech and deep tech into AI and what was now being described as “super intelligence”.
Penang was ready to embrace the next phase of technological development because of the ecosystem it had built over decades, he said. “Sometimes when we work, we don’t realise what we’re working for, but let me tell you one thing: you’re working for one thing – the future.”
Jagdeep said AI Horizon 2026 provided an opportunity for Penang to engage with international partners, learn from global best practices and bring those practices into the state.
He said the event also demonstrated that technology development could no longer take place in isolation. “Nowadays, you cannot work in silos. You have to work with everyone.”
The AI Horizon 2026 opening ceremony was attended by Chinese Consul-General in Penang Zhou Youbin, Japanese Consul-General in Penang Machida Shinya, UK Honorary Consul in Penang Dr David Lacey, Malaysian Finnish Business Council vice-president Petri Karjalainen, SanDisk senior director and assistant general counsel Alhadi Harun, and Intel Foundry Malaysia business operations manager Karyn Cheah.
Also present were members of the Tech Dome Penang and Penang STEM boards, representatives from the Penang Chief Minister’s Office, government-linked companies, industry partners and members of the media.
The two-day AI Horizon 2026 features exhibitions and discussions involving technology companies, industry players, researchers, educators and other stakeholders, with a focus on AI adoption, emerging technologies and opportunities for collaboration.
