SARAWAK’s Futurise Youth @ AI Initiative will train over 500 youth in Sarawak with artificial intelligence skills, preparing them for careers in technology and supporting growth in the state’s high-tech sector.
Looking ahead, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Ripin Lamat praised the initiative, noting its alignment with the government’s focus on technopreneurship and the need to prepare youth for the green economy and STEM fields.
Sarawak Tribune met with Ripin to get his insights and opinions on this matter.
SARAWAK TRIBUNE: The Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Ministry said the ministry will focus on futurising the youth by equipping them with essential skills for a rapidly evolving world. What do you think of this initiative?
Ripin: This initiative is very good for our youth development as we know the Sarawak government emphasises on technopreneurs. So I think it’s part of the programme. Also we need to equip our youth with advanced technology.
SARAWAK TRIBUNE: Why is it important for youth to equip themselves with AI skills?
Ripin: AI is a trend now and has become one of the major tools to drive skills in future.So now we need to educate, we need to expose our youth to this knowledge. To advance their skills and then prepare them to get involved in the future of our green economy and expose them more to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We need this kind of skills to upgrade their capabilities.
SARAWAK TRIBUNE: How will these skills benefit them especially in the working field?
Ripin: Definitely you will have extra knowledge on AI or on technology. So it will help them market themselves for jobs or to become technopreneurs.
SARAWAK TRIBUNE: What challenges might arise in equipping youth with AI skills, and how can they be addressed?
Ripin: Besides knowledge on the technology itself, the software and so on and so forth there is a need for them to learn English because AI is more in English. So we have to master English as well as the software on the AI application.
SARAWAK TRIBUNE: Do you think AI will replace humans individually?
Ripin: I don’t think it fully replace human functions. Maybe in part, yes. Not totally, it might be more akin to integrating. So I think humans plus AI will merge to bring about a better workforce or a better person in the future.
