(Alhamdullilahi Rabbil `Alameen WasaalatuWassalaamu `Ala Asyrafil AmbiaeWalmursaleen, Saidina Muhammadin Wa’alaaAalihiee Wasahbihee Ajama’een)

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good afternoon.

Your Excellencies High Commissioners,Ambassadors, and Members of the Diplomatic Corp;

Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Senior Officials;

Business Communities, Researchers, and Technology Enthusiasts;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is a great honour and privilege to be standing here before you at this conference. My appreciation and congratulations go to AITI for their unwavering support of the annual Brunei Midyear Conference series of events and ensuring that the national digital agenda continues to be discussed and deliberated in a constructive setting among relevant stakeholders.

2. The theme for this year’s conference, "Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development," is timely and a significant reminder that digitalization should be a means to an end. In this instance, by leveraging on digital innovation, societies can advance towards a more sustainable future by creating a balance between economic growth, social progress, and environmental stewardship. 

 

3. At this juncture, I am pleased to share that Brunei Darussalam has made progress in digital innovation through several initiatives aimed at creating a conducive environment for technological growth and development. In recent years, we have laid our focus on enhancing our digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, harnessing digital technologies for sustainable development, and ensuring safe and inclusive digital participation for all citizens.

4. Our advancements in digital infrastructure have been crucial. The deployment of 5G mobile services, upgrade of nationwide fixed broadband speeds, and the expansion of mobile network coverage in our rural areas are key enablers for us to be become a connected smart nation. Today, we have reached over 90% of the population with broadband and mobile services coverage.

 

5. These efforts are not only enhancing connectivity but also creating a foundation for the utilisation and deployment of technologies such as IoT, AI, blockchain and data analytics that can empower organisations to make informed decisions and optimise processes that can enhance healthcare, enable efficient energy management, advance education and promote financial inclusion through digital banking.

 

6. Additionally, the Council for Research and Advancement of Technology and Science (CREATES), has also realigned its focus to support funding in the research and development of emerging technology trends, such Big Data Analytics, IoT and AI. Programmes like Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA), Brunei Innovation Lab, and Startup673 are fostering a culture of innovation and supporting local entrepreneurs to build their digital and entrepreneurship skills. These initiatives are further bolstered by strong public and private collaborations that are instrumental in bringing new perspectives and enriching our innovation landscape.

 

7. To foster further growth and innovation in the digital space, I am pleased to announce that AITI will be introducing an Internet of Things (IoT) Network Service Provider License commencing 1st September, 2024. The purpose of the license is to promote the responsible and sustainable deployment of IoT technologies while safeguarding the interests of users and broader society through addressing, among others, the concerns relating to data security, privacy protection and service performance in the terms and conditions under which IoT devices are deployed, operated and maintained.

 

8. Over the past decade, the world has witnessed a substantial growth in IoT with its adoption transforming industries and everyday life.  The potential economic value of IoT is large and growing. According to a report by McKinsey, it was estimated that by 2030, the economic value of IoT could amount to USD12.5 trillion globally and the number of IoT connected devices will reach approximately 25 billion, up from about 9 billion in 2017. The estimated economic value includes the value captured by consumers and customers of IoT products and services. Hence, the proliferation of IoT devices is expected to generate substantial economic value, potentially adding USD1.5 to USD2 trillion to global GDP. Hence, we would also like to see the growth of IoT in Brunei Darussalam by enabling improved connectivity and the deployment of new applications across all sectors.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

9. It cannot be denied, that we are also now in a technological era, where AI has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing industries, enhancing capabilities, and driving unprecedented innovation. With its ability to process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and make autonomous decisions, AI holds great promise for improving numerous aspects of our lives. From revolutionizing healthcare with advanced diagnostics to streamlining supply chains in manufacturing, AI is opening doors to advancements that were once considered futuristic.

 

10. Yet, these advancements bring with them significant challenges that require our collective attention. A growing trend of AI-generated deep fakes presents serious challenges as they can be employed maliciously to spread misinformation, commit fraud, and damage reputations by generating convincing but false content. Thus, it is essential that we establish a comprehensive control framework to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly and equitably, thereby driving innovation and creating meaningful value.

 

11. On this note, I am delighted to share, as a starting point, work is in progress on the development of a Guide on AI Governance and Ethics for Brunei Darussalam. An AI Governance and Ethics Working Group led by AITI and comprising of representatives from various government and non-government agencies, private sector and academia have all come together to develop the Guide that offers a broad range of considerations for organisations designing, developing, and deploying AI by taking into account the complexity of the technology, and associated risks of the AI systems. 

 

12. I am also pleased to learn that through the public consultation conducted recently, several feedbacks have been received on the draft Guide.  This is indeed, very encouraging as it indicates the strong interest placed on AI Governance and Ethics in the country. 

 

13. Further to this, recognising the role of Government in promoting the responsible and beneficial use of AI technologies, the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) is also formulating an AI Strategy on the development and implementation of AI initiatives for Brunei Darussalam. This strategy amongst others will focus on policy development, talent development, infrastructure and ecosystem, research and innovation, public engagement as well as monitoring and evaluation of AI systems. Given the fast-evolving space of AI we believe the strategy will be periodically reviewed and assessed, in consultation with industry partners, to ensure that it is up to date with the latest advancements in the AI space.

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

14. In a world where we are more connected than ever, and more dependent on digital technologies than ever, lest we forget (it should not be forgotten) the need to build our digital resilience. IT outages, especially those affecting essential services and critical infrastructure, can underscore the vulnerabilities inherent in our digital dependency.

 

15. The recent CrowdStrike IT outage incident, whose impact in Brunei was largely contained within organizations that subscribe to the service or whose operation were part of a regional or global supply chains or networks, serves as a valuable reminder on the importance of preparedness, the importance of having contingency plans, disaster recovery strategies, and having in place incident response protocols to address and recover from IT incidents effectively. This may also necessitate investment in robust digital infrastructure, maintenance, and upgrades to prevent disruptions and enhance system reliability.

 

16. From another aspect, the incident also underscores the importance and criticality of supply chains Cyber Security and also on Secure Development Lifecycle where rigorous testing, validation, control and effective communication can ensure the security and reliability of software and products.

 

17. Ironically, the heart of the recent massive global disruption was caused by a faulty software update that was supposed to protect thousands of organisations and businesses worldwide. This again serves as another valuable reminder, of the need to adhere with process protocols and best practices that helps create a trusted and resilient digital ecosystem that not just focus on the Technology aspect but also the People and Process.  

 

18. Hence, it goes without saying Cyber Security plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our digital infrastructure and data from malicious actions. In a world where cyber threats are evolving at a growing rate, 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 infrastructure (CII) from cyber threats and disruptions. 

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19. As we navigate the rapid advancements in AI and other digital technologies, it is imperative that we balance innovation with rigorous cybersecurity measures to protect our systems, data and people from evolving threats. While technology offers remarkable opportunities for progress and transformation, our commitment to safeguarding these advancements is equally vital. Moving forward, let us embrace these innovations with a focus on security, ethics, and collaboration, ensuring they drive positive change while harnessing the full potential of digital innovation to achieve our sustainability goals and build a safe, inclusive and equitable environment for our nation.

 

20. To conclude my remarks, I would like to commend the organizer, AITI and Confer Sdn Bhd, as well as partners who have crafted this Conference into a vibrant forum for exploring the future of our digital landscape. Your dedication and tireless efforts have been instrumental in bringing together a diverse group of experts, thought leaders, and innovators, fostering impactful discussions and collaborations.

 

21. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for having me as the guest of honour. I wish you and the Conference participants a fruitful and productive sharing session.

 

Thank you. 

 

Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah, WassalamuAlaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.