Press Release
Day 1 of Digital Future Conference and Exhibition
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) and InfoCom Federation Brunei (IFB)
Following the opening ceremony for the 12th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation, Day 1 Digital Future Conference continues with enlightening discussions with industry leaders and innovators as they explored the limitless possibilities under the following thematic sessions:
- The NexGen: Embracing the Digital Future Services through AI
- Will AI Be an Enabler or a Showstopper?
- Digital Acceleration Towards Smart City
- Ensuring a Safe Working Environment with AI
- How To Stay Relevant in a Small Yet Competitive Market
- Securing Network Infrastructure: Building Resilience
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- Cyber Security: New Threats, New Solutions, Protecting What to Come
- Shaping a Safe and Sustainable World
- Network Infrastructure: Maximising Usage and Driving Adoption
- Innovation in Financial Services: The Future of Payment
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- Advancing Brunei Darussalam’s Digital Payments
- Money Goes Digital: The Role of Digital Finance in Driving Innovation Across Industries
Descriptions of the feature presentations and panel discussions are attached in Appendix 1.
Digital Future Conference will continue on Friday, 23 June 2023 with the following thematic sessions:
- Start from Zero: Entrepreneurs Breaking Barriers
- Driving the Next Wave in AI
- Accelerating Growth Through Data Driven Innovation
In addition to the conference, the public is welcome to the exhibition in Hall 3, Indera Samudra Grand Hall, The Empire Brunei, which is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with free entrance.
Brunei M.Y.C.E 2023 is organised by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Tourism Development Department in collaboration with local and international government agencies, statutory bodies, higher educational institutions, stakeholders and private agencies. Brunei M.Y.C.E 2023 is also fully supported by several official media partners, namely Radio Television Brunei (RTB), the Information Department (Pelita Brunei) and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.
APPENDIX 1
Digital Future Conference
Day 1 | Thursday, 22 June 2023
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Breaking Barriers: The Role of Innovation in Overcoming Challenges and Securing Opportunities in ASEAN
His Excellency Satvinder Singh
Deputy Secretary-General
ASEAN Economic Community
His Excellency in his Keynote Address highlighted, among others, the opportunities and challenges for ASEAN to become an innovative region. Referring to the ASEAN Member States’ positions in the Global Innovation Index (GII), His Excellency shared that 8 ASEAN Member States are part of the Top 100 in the GII ranking. With 25 new companies from ASEAN being created in 2022, ASEAN Member States is projected to be in the Top 5 largest economy in the world by 2027, behind India, USA and China. Among the challenges highlighted was the R&D expenditure in ASEAN of 0.61% compared to the larger economies such as South Korea (4.64%), Japan (3.2%) and US (3.13%).
FEATURED SPEAKER
AI Governance
Larissa Lim
Senior Manager, AI Governance Data Innovation and Protection Group
Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
Ms Larissa Lim, Senior Manager, Development of Data-Driven Tech of IMDA presented on AI Governance and Singapore’s approach and tools for the industry, where IMDA along with World Economic Forum and Personal Data Protection Commission Singapore have provided guidance to organisations on the responsible and ethical employment of AI, such as the ‘AI Verify’, the AI Governance testing framework and toolkit. This toolkit aims to conduct objective, verifiable tests and record process checks. She also shared on the “what, how and when” in AI Governance.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Will AI Be an Enabler or a Showstopper?
The digital adoption of disruptive technologies, such as AI, has revolutionised the global economy. It has led digital transformation in governments and businesses, generating new income streams, as well as increasing productivity and economies of scale. However, authorities are catching up in ensuring governance must be met through rules and guidelines.
Panelists:
1. Edwin Song (Managing Director, Datality Lab)
2. Lenard Wei Zhuang Tan (Chief Executive Officer, Ailytics)
Moderator:
Aimi Ramlee (Co-Founder and Director of Digital Innovation and Growth at Tyne Solutions)
FEATURED SPEAKER
Konesh Kochhal
Director, Industry Ecosystem Engagement
Huawei
Konesh Kochhal, Director, Industry Ecosystem Engagement of Huawei shared his presentation titled “Digital Acceleration Towards Smart City” where he shared that digitalization drives Value Creation for National Socia-Economic growth through four values, namely social, economic, industry and business. He also shared that ICT investment has a bigger impact on GDP in less developed countries where in developing countries with an average GDP per capita of US$5,000, every US$1 spend on ICT, GDP increases by US$4.4. He also shared current examples on the use of 5G services such as the 5G enabled Smart Pattaya Beach, Smart Industries and Smart Healthcare in Thailand.
FEATURED SPEAKER
Ensuring a Safe Working Environment with AI
Lenard Wei Zhuang Tan
Chief Executive Officer
Ailytics
Lenard Wei Zhuang Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Ailytics presented his presentation on “Ensuring a Safe Working Environment with AI” where he started his presentation on the safety and inefficiency of the global construction industry with 1 fatality recorded every 10 minutes and S$3.8 trillion annual value lost due to operational lapses. He reiterated on the positive reinforcement through automated monitoring where site teams would be able to leverage on actionable insights to drive better decisions. He continued on his company’s application with over 20 pre-built AI use cases which is able to detect complex scenarios while being cost-efficient and easily deployable.
PANEL DISCUSSION
How To Stay Relevant in a Small Yet Competitive Market
Explore the key principles and strategies for businesses to maintain relevance and competitive edge in today’s dynamic market landscape. Gain valuable insights from industry leaders on leveraging innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and customer-centric approaches for sustainable growth.
Panelists:
1. Radin Sufri Basiuni (Chief Executive Officer, DST)
2. Allen On (Acting Chief Executive Officer, Imagine Sdn Bhd)
3. Nurul Haniah Haji Jaafar (Chief Executive Officer, Progresif)
Moderator:
Nik Hafimi Abdul Haadii (Executive Director of LVK Group of Companies and Chair of APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei)
PANEL DISCUSSION
Cyber Security: New Threats, New Solutions, Protecting What To Come
In an ever-evolving digital landscape, our cybersecurity discussion focusses on the latest threats that emerge, innovative solutions that safeguard against these challenges.
Panelists:
1. David Allott (Chief Security Officer (ASEAN), DXC Technology)
2. Apurv Sharma (Senior ITS Manager and Head of Group Information System & Risk Management for Darussalam Assets Group)
3. Mohamad Azad Zaki Bin Haji Mohd Tahir (Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Cyber Security Brunei)
Moderator:
Zulfadly Ismail (Founder of Anak IT)
FEATURED SPEAKER
Shaping a Safe and Sustainable World
Raja Mohd Haikal
Vice President, Sales
Vitronic Machine Vision Asia Sdn Bhd
Raja Mohd Haikal, Vice President (Sales), Vitronic Machine Vision Asia Sdn Bhd presented on “Shaping a Safe and Sustainable World” whereby he shared the use of Vitronic’s applications on speed enforcement by using Lidar-based technology in various countries. One of the products highlighted was the POLISCAN Speed where this contact-free technology is able to measure precise speed of vehicles on the road and ensure seamless recording of offenses, even in dense traffic.
PANEL DISCUSSION
NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE: Maximising Usage and Driving Adoption
Network infrastructure forms the backbone of connectivity, enabling seamless communication and data transfer. Gain valuable insights into harnessing the power of robust networks to drive connectivity, enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate digital transformation.
Panelists:
1. Chris Phan (Senior Vice President Network Factory, Unified National Networks)
2. Dominic McDonald (Founder, ULAP Networks)
3. Amit Kapoor (Domain Sales Manager & Head of CU Cloud Software & Services Enterprise Sales, Ericsson)
Moderator:
Allen Lai (Managing Director, Confer Sdn Bhd)
FEATURED SPEAKER
Advancing Brunei Darussalam’s Digital Payments
Hafiz Haslen
Chief Executive Officer
National Digital Payment Network (ndpx)
Hafiz Haslen, Chief Executive Officer of the National Digital Payments Network (ndpx) presented on “Advancing Brunei Darussalam’s Digital Payments” where, among others, he shared the payment methods ranking in Brunei with cash being the main method of usage for payments, as well as Instant Payment Systems being adopted by various countries through the issuance of national QR code standards. Countries such as Singapore and Malaysia have launched National QR Code since 2018 and 2021 respectively. He also briefly shared on the establishment of ndpx since 2022 with the aim to implement Brunei’s very own instant Payment System, currently referred to as “Digital Payment Hub”. This Digital Payment Hub will be launched over an 18-24-month period in two phases while taking into account the implementation complexity for financial institutions.
PANEL DISCUSSION
MONEY GOES DIGITAL: The Role of Digital Finance in Driving Innovation Across Industries
We are currently transitioning to digital finance and experiencing the transformative potential of the technology.
Panelists:
1. Thian Cheok Ang (Managing Director of ThreeG Media)
2. Hj Mohd Khairul Zaki bin Hj Mohidin (Assistant Executive Director and Head of FinTech of BDCB)
3. Hafiz Haslen (Chief Executive Officer, National Digital Payments Network (ndpx))
Moderator:
Yusof Sidek (Deputy Chief Information Officer, BIBD)