The aim is to advance sovereign AI through federated learning (FL) and privacy-preserving AI infrastructure. The collaborations will leverage partnerships with world-leading UK universities to advance Sarawak’s ambitions in becoming an AI leader and facilitate initiatives between the UK and Sarawak.
Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC) and Unitas Global Advisory signed one MoU on May 4, with FLock.io as the sole AI partner providing delivery expertise for decentralised AI. The SAIC is the state’s governmental organisation for AI. It was witnessed by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari during his working visit across the country, and also by representatives of the Greater Manchester authorities including the UK Trade Envoy to Indonesia and ASEAN Naz Shah and MP for Manchester Rusholme Afzal Khan.
FLock.io signed another MoU with the SAIC at the University of Oxford on May 7 and is the sole technology partner. FLock.io intends to build a state-wide government LLM and distributed AI systems, FL infrastructure, a framework for data governance and data security for secure model collaboration, and data centre management. The collaboration is intended to support Sarawak’s AI roadmap towards a green, sovereign AI economy, with a clear particular focus on healthcare and agriculture.
The collaboration follows the success of FLock.io’s proof of concept – FLock.io was the first in the world to use FL to train and fine-tune a language model on indigenous languages. FLock.io worked with the SAIC to train a model on Sarawak Malay data using in-country devices without sending raw data to a foreign, central server. The experiment demonstrated how FL can improve local public sector services in any country with data from the same region, instead of relying on foreign tech corporations. The MoUs mark a transition from technical experiment to expanded real-life use case possibilities in the UK and Sarawak.
Sovereign AI is when a region controls its own systems, prioritising local data security and infrastructure, cultural values and regulatory compliance, with less reliance on foreign corporations. FL is a privacy-preserving method that allows AI models to be trained collaboratively across multiple data sources without transferring raw data to a central server.
The SAIC signed an MoU at the University of Cambridge’s Economics department with Dr Saite Lu on May 6 to establish a research unit to pioneer the next generation of AI-enhanced policy frameworks. The joint action will begin with research on AI investment economics, green economy, and AI governance, and extending into education, scholarships and deeper institutional-level engagement. FLock.io bridges the gap, maximalising the efficacy of the use cases emerging from the research collaboration.
The partnerships leverage FL as the core technological pillar to achieve truly sovereign AI while keeping data localised and secure. Through research partnerships with UK universities, SAIC is now laying the foundation for a green, sovereign AI economy based on local data, renewable energy and local governance. FLock.io will deliver the FL infrastructure to allow AI models to be improved without sensitive data leaving its local jurisdiction.
The collaboration aims to position Sarawak as an AI leader, operating with distinct regional aspirations to build a robust AI ecosystem through UK-based academic and governmental ties. The strategy is part of the state’s long-term development framework under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
In his keynote address in Manchester, the Premier emphasised that AI has been economically transformative throughout the industry’s journey – beginning with generative AI before progressing to agentic AI, and now “strategic AI” that uses agents to execute plans is the next stage. “Artificial intelligence is the key. Over the past ten years, it has changed the entire economy. I believe it will go even further toward strategic intelligence.”
Prof Patrick Then, CEO of the SAIC, emphasised the importance of domain-specific models. The Premier also echoed strong support for federated learning as a foundation in sovereign AI.
Certificates of appreciation were awarded to FLock.io’s researchers and advisors, signifying the importance of FLock’s work to Sarawak’s AI roadmap.
About SAIC
The Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC) is the state’s governmental organisation for AI research, development and commercialisation in Sarawak, Malaysia. It focuses on economic growth, social inclusivity, and technological sovereignty.
About FLock.io
FLock.io is a pioneer in federated learning, providing a platform for decentralised AI training that prioritises data privacy and democratises access to machine learning capabilities.
About Unitas Global Advisory
Unitas Global Advisory is a UK-based strategic advisory firm with deep expertise in international partnership development, economic diplomacy and ecosystem building. It provides guidance and connectivity for high-impact technology projects, bridging the gap between innovative startups and government-level initiatives.
For more information contact phoebe@flock.io