02-07-2025
Sarawak Media Conference 2025 to focus on AI, journalism's future
Abdullah (second right) discusses the final preparations for SMeC. At right is Hii.
KUCHING (July 2): The second edition of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025, which kicks off today, will feature a distinguished line-up of local and international media and communication experts, who will share their insightson adapting to the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) era.
Among the speakers is Shelly Bryant, founder of TL Global Insights (Singapore), a content strategist with over 30 years of experience in strategic storytelling, branding, and cross-cultural communication at the global level.
Other featured speakers include Steve Saerang, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indonesia), who also serves as Chairman of Membership Development and Youth Public Relations at Perhumas Indonesia.
Also speaking at the event is Director-General of Broadcasting Malaysia and prominent broadcasting figure Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman.
Additional panellists include Soh Wan Wei, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AI Visionary Society; Ainol Amriz Ismail, CEO of Malaysia Press Institute; Dr Jun-E Tan, Senior Researcher, Khazanah Research Institute; Prof Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, Chief Scientist and Chief Advisor for Sarawak Digital Economy; Malia Taibi, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Faculty of Languages and Communication lecturer; Darmain Segaran, Manager (Policy) of the National AI Office; and Patrick Then, CEO of Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre.
Meanwhile, a full rehearsal session was held at Sheraton Hotel Kuching yesterday, according to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit report.
Present were Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Abdullah Saidol and Deputy State Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee, among others.
Abdullah and Hii later delivered a final briefing to ensure readiness for the conference.
The two-day event is being organised in conjunction with the state-Level National Journalist Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration.
'With the theme 'Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future of Media and Journalism', this year's edition will offer in-depth discussions on the influence of AI on the present and future media landscape,' said Abdullah.
He added that the conference is expected to bring together over 700 delegates, including media practitioners, academics, and students in the fields of communication and journalism.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today.
'Throughout the two-day conference, participants will be exposed to current and future trends in AI adoption in the media, including ethics, journalistic integrity, and innovation opportunities in writing, broadcasting, and news delivery,' Abdullah said.
'SMeC 2025 is expected to serve as a strategic platform not only to strengthen the journalism profession but also to pioneer new approaches that are inclusive, adaptive, and ethical in the digital era.'
