DALAT – The Sarawak government has officially marked a significant milestone in its pursuit of a high-income digital economy with the unveiling of its proprietary artificial intelligence model, known as DeepSar (DeepSarawak). This strategic move underscores the state’s determination to reduce reliance on external technologies and foster local innovation.
The announcement was made by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, during the official opening ceremony of the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) in Dalat on Friday.
According to the Premier, the conceptualisation of DeepSar was driven by the rapid advancements seen in global AI technologies. He cited the capabilities of the prominent Chinese AI model, DeepSeek, as a primary inspiration for the initiative.
Observing the immediate responsiveness and versatility of existing international models, the Premier directed Sarawak Information Systems (SAINS) to engineer a bespoke version tailored to the specific needs and demographics of the region.
One of the primary functionalities of the newly launched DeepSar is its capability to perform simultaneous language translation. The Premier highlighted that the system has successfully achieved real-time translation for local dialects, a feat that is often difficult for generic global AI models to master due to a lack of training data.
”I asked them to translate our languages simultaneously, and now they have succeeded,” said the Premier. He noted that the system can automatically translate Mandarin to Melanau, as well as English to Iban, bridging significant communication gaps within the state’s diverse population.
This technological breakthrough is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting the state’s tourism industry. By dismantling language barriers, Sarawak aims to make the region more accessible to international visitors while preserving and utilising its indigenous languages in a modern context.
The Premier drew a parallel to travelling in Europe, explaining that just as travellers rely on apps to navigate French or German, DeepSar will allow tourists to navigate the linguistic landscape of Sarawak with ease.
Furthermore, the Premier emphasised that DeepSar is not merely a standalone tool but a crucial component of Sarawak’s broader economic strategy. The administration is aggressively pivoting towards a new economy driven by information technology, data, and artificial intelligence.
While advocating for the adoption of these tools, Abang Zohari also issued a reminder regarding digital ethics. He cautioned that while AI is an essential engine for finding answers and driving innovation, it requires a deep understanding to prevent misuse, urging the public to embrace the technology responsibly as the state moves towards a future defined by digital sovereignty.
