Abang Johari said the world has moved from basic digital systems to generative AI, and is now entering the stage of agentic AI, where systems can carry out tasks and produce answers on their own using large amounts of data, Sarawak Tribune reported.

“Several European countries, such as Italy and Spain, have begun developing grid networks that connect data processing systems, thereby enabling real-time access to information,” he told reporters after officiating an event in Kuching today.

“I see this model in the EU as something we can learn from and adapt to our needs. They have started developing a grid system that connects data, and this may become the future direction.”

He said Sarawak does not want to depend too heavily on traditional data centre development and is instead looking at more sustainable alternatives.

“We have government data centres, but I am not very encouraged by this approach in the long term,” he said.

“If we use between 100 to 200 megawatts of energy, we need to consider the returns. It may be better to use that energy for other sectors that can generate more job opportunities.”

In his speech at the event, Abang Johari said he was of the view that data centres would no longer be relevant in the next five years, as AI systems improve.

“All your data will be stored in the cloud and accessed through strong satellite connections from orbit to earth,” he said.