Penang is pushing artificial intelligence into its governance and industrial operations as the state prepares to host a major sustainability summit.
State housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said Penang has started deploying intelligent traffic systems, smart city monitoring and digital services across government operations. The manufacturing sector, which contributes nearly 50% of the state’s gross domestic product, is also adopting AI to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
“AI is a transformative tool that can accelerate sustainable development, improve governance and create new economic opportunities.”
Sundarajoo was speaking at a press conference at Komtar to announce the Penang Green Summit 2026, scheduled for 12–13 November at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre.
The summit, themed “AI for Sustainability”, will showcase practical AI applications in energy use, waste management, mobility, water systems and climate action. The event is organised by the Penang Green Council (PGC).
Organising chairperson and Penang Island City councillor Tan Soo Siang said last year’s summit reached more than 450,000 people through digital outreach and physical participation. It featured 46 exhibition booths and over 200 conference attendees including policymakers, industry players, academics and technology providers.
Soo Siang said rising energy costs and climate change had pushed companies to focus beyond profit and growth.
“Companies are now focusing on not only profit and growth, but also on reducing costs, using less energy and improving efficiency while staying competitive,” she said.
She added that AI was already transforming industries by improving productivity, energy use, predictive maintenance and waste reduction. Applications are expanding into smart buildings, urban planning and carbon tracking.
The key question, she said, was not whether AI should be adopted, but how to apply it responsibly to address real-world sustainability challenges.
Also present were PGC chief executive officer Josephine Tan and assistant general manager Hoo Huey Ching.
Source: The Star
