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Tuesday, 30 July 2024 - AI and Cybersecurity Take Centre Stage at The Digital Future Conference (DFC) 2024
The opening of the Digital Future Conference (DFC) 2024 was officiated this afternoon by the Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. 

The ceremony began with a recital of Surah Al-Fatihah and doa led by Ustaz Haji Mohammad Azrol Alim bin Haji Zaini from Ministry of Religious Affairs. The event proceeded with a keynote address delivered by Yang Berhormat Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. The keynote address shared the ongoing efforts by the government to support digital innovation through several initiatives aimed at creating a conducive environment for technological growth and development. To further foster innovation, the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) will be introducing an Internet of Things (IoT) Network Service Provider Licence commencing from 1 September 2024. 

Yang Berhormat Minister of Transport and Infocommunications also highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding Brunei’s infrastructure and data, and underlined the imperative need to balance innovation with adoption of cybersecurity measures, while also focusing on ethics to harness the full potential of digital innovation. Works are in progress by the Ministry of Transport and Infocommmunications and AITI, respectively for the development of AI Strategy for Brunei Darussalam and Guide on AI Governance and Ethics. Meanwhile Brunei Darussalam will continue to actively enhance its cybersecurity measures and resilience to address the growing challenges of the digital age and protect its citizens, businesses and Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs) from cyber threats and disruptions. 

More than 350 participants attended the event. Also present were foreign diplomats, and senior officials and industry representatives. DFC 2024, organised by AITI, facilitated by Confer Sdn Bhd, and in partnership with CSB, ITPSS Sdn Bhd and Pocket, took place at the Banquet Hall, Bridex. It is held in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) 2024, an initiative by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT). 

With this year’s theme on “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development”, the two-day conference brings together local and foreign professionals, innovators and thought leaders from both the public and private sectors. Key discussions centre on the role of AI in various industries, and the critical importance of cybersecurity in our increasingly digital world. 

DFC 2024 explores real-world examples of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity, which provide us with valuable insights and inspire us to think creatively about how we can leverage digital innovation to advance sustainability, enhance security, and foster inclusive progress, said Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar, Chief Executive of AITI, in his opening remarks during the commencement of the Conference this morning. 
This year’s DFC 2024 also showcases a mini exhibition featuring AITI, ITPSS Sdn Bhd, Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL), Unified National Network Sdn Bhd (UNN), Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd (DST), Progresif Sdn Bhd, BIPO Service (BN) Sdn Bhd, Flexxon Pte Ltd, and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB). 

DFC 2024 – Morning Session 

The first day of conference featured a diverse lineup of speakers and sessions. The morning session started with an opening panel discussion on “Digital Innovation and Sustainability”, featuring dynamic panel members: Chris Phan, Acting CEO of UNN Sdn Bhd; Hajah Nurul Haniah Binti Haji Jaafar, CEO of Progresif Sdn Bhd; Simon Hansman, CIO of Baiduri Bank and Yusri bin Yahya, Head of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Unit, Prime Minister’s Office. The session, which was moderated by Fatin Arifin, Project Manager, Bandtree Sdn Bhd, and Co-Founder of Green Brunei, explored how advanced digital technologies can address sustainability challenges and contribute to environmental, social, and economic goals in Brunei Darussalam. 

The presentations on AI's role in sustainable development, focusing on its applications in healthcare, precision agriculture, and sustainable food production were delivered by Mr Abby Tan, General Manager of EVYD Technologies and Haji Muhammad Zulfadhli Ibnu bin Haji Md Huzaimi, Harvest Moon Farm. 

The event saw a Future Flash presentation by Andy Lai Boon Ho, VP for Digital Innovation of Datastream Digital Sdn Bhd (DST), on transforming business and the digital marketplace with AI. 

Moderated by Adi Iskandar Basri, Chief Commercial & Innovation Officer of Progresif Sdn Bhd, a panel discussion on how society can learn and teach AI, fostering a culture of innovation in workplaces was underscored by Syafiq Bakar, Strategic Management Officer of MOE; Muhammad Norshafiee DP Hj Abdul Jalil, Digitalisation Manager of BSP and Chai Roslin, Technology Development Lead of Brunei Innovation Lab. 

Presentation on "AI & Innovative Technologies" was then delivered by Dr. Ir. Terry Douglas Jayasuriya, CEO & Founder of TDJ Consulting Group. 

DFC 2024 – Afternoon Session 

In the afternoon, a special presentation was delivered by Raymond Siva, Head of Digital Investment Office of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, entitled “Malaysia’s Digital Investment Journey”, underscoring Malaysia's digital transformation since 1996. 

A virtual presentation on “RideTandem” covered a conversation with its Cofounder & COO, Bruneiborn Chiam Tat Seng, who shared about innovation and entering new markets with technology. RideTandem was recently named Transport Tech Company of the Year at the UK Business Tech Awards and listed in the UK's Top 100 Startups. 

Ksatriya Anantayutya, Head of Product, of AIoT from eFishery shared “The Journey of eFishery – Harnessing AI for Sustainable Growth”. Highlights included how eFishery, an Indonesian startup, used AI for sustainable growth in the aquaculture industry, achieving unicorn status (worth over US$1 billion). 

Another special presentation was on “The Future of Cyber Security” by a notable honoree in the SG 100 Women in Tech 2023, Camellia Chan, CEO of Flexxon Pte Ltd, Singapore. 

“A Peek Inside the Brain of ChatGPT for a Safer Use of AI” was the Future Flash presentation by Adi Iskandar Basri, Chief Commercial & Innovation Officer of Progresif Sdn Bhd, who provided insights into the safe use of AI, specifically focusing on the workings of ChatGPT. 

Digital Future Conference (DFC) 2024 will continue tomorrow - Wednesday, 31st July 2024 from 9 AM until 5 PM. 

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