[This is a sponsored article with Sidec.]
Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) is hosting their 9th annual Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre this year.
The annual Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) is back for its ninth year in October 2024. Hosted by the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec), the conference will focus on themes in burgeoning industries.
From semiconductors and AI to ecommerce, SDEC 2024 will bring you four days of non-stop insights, and it’s all part of what they’re calling their 3-in-1 Tech Conference of the Year.
Happening October 16-19, 2024, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Sidec is expecting to attract over 18,000 visitors and feature 200 exhibitor booths, showcasing both international and local companies.
Here’s what you can learn there.
Day 1: Surf the semiconductor tsunami
Semiconductors (or SC, or semicon) is a massive industry that Malaysia is at the heart of.
The industry’s growth is expected to reach an output of US$46 billion or RM212.52 billion by 2028. It’s no wonder Malaysia is considered an electrical and electronics (E&E) and semiconductor powerhouse—which convinced Tesla to set up shop here.
“The industry has grown at an impressive CAGR of 16% since 1972, and while the last seven years have seen a slightly moderated growth of 10%, the sector remains a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economic landscape,” said Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) President Dato’ Seri Siew Hai Wong at the Tech In Asia 2024 conference.
And that’s exactly what SDEC 2024 wants to explore on the first day.
Between 10AM to 5PM on October 16, you’ll get access to conferences diving into Malaysia’s IC Design industry, the convergence of AI and semiconductors, and the cultivation of semiconductor talent.
Hear from local and global leaders from QES Group Berhad, STMicroelectronics, Weeroc, and AMD on these sessions planned for the day:
- Unlocking the Potential: Malaysia’s IC Design Industry and its Impact on Southeast Asia
- Powering the Future: Breakthroughs at the Convergence of AI and Semiconductors
- Transforming Semiconductor Design: The Role of EDA and IP in the AI Era
- Navigating the Asia-Pacific Semiconductor Market Trends and Impact on Malaysia
- Building a Resilient Semiconductor Test & Assembly Supply Chain in Greater Klang Valley
- Cultivating Semiconductor Talent in Malaysia: Bridging Education, Industry, and Technology
Day 2: Activate AI for advancement
The world is recognising Malaysia as an emerging data centre powerhouse in SEA, as demand surges for cloud computing and AI.
Malaysia has attracted billions of dollars in data centre investments, including those from Microsoft’s US$2.2 billion (RM10.5 billion), Google’s US$2 billion investment (RM9.4 billion), and ByteDance’s RM10 billion (US$2.13 billion).
And these are just in 2024 alone.
AI isn’t just a buzzword; some would argue it’s a key driver of societal progress. Embracing it can help build a skilled workforce and give people access to diverse tech skills. This shift equips individuals to thrive in a digital world, boosting job prospects and fueling national growth.
On October 17, SDEC 2024 will have a full day dedicated to educating you on the potential of AI. They’ve brought together speakers from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, SNS Network, and Taiwan AI Academy to speak on:
- Battle of the AI Minds: A Global Talent Competition
- Powering the Robotics Revolution with AI
- Generative AI Development and Deployment in Cloud
- The Impact of AI on Industries: A Deep Dive
- Driving Business Growth with AI: Copilot for SMEs
- Leveraging AI for Advanced Healthcare Solutions
- Building a Smart Mobility Ecosystem with AI
Day 3: Zoom into the ecommerce explosion
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) reported a 5.4% year-on-year increase in ecommerce revenue in Q3 2023, rising from RM274.6 million to RM289.5 billion. With over 30 million internet users in 2022, enhanced connectivity has paved the way for this digital shopping revolution, bolstered by a dynamic economy and rising digital literacy.
So, what does this mean for you as a retail business owner? Huge opportunities. And the newer yet already booming ecommerce platform, TikTok Shop, should not be overlooked.
TikTok reported that nearly 83% of Malaysian consumers turn to social entertainment platforms for shopping, prompting brands to engage their audiences with entertaining and educational content.
TikTok also revealed that 59% of users indulge in retail therapy weekly, and 89% participated in Mega Sales Events last year. High-spending shoppers averaged US$265 (about RM1,100) during these events, driving a sixfold increase in conversions from discovery to purchase in Q2 2023.
If you’re unsure how to leverage this opportunity, SDEC 2024 has you covered.
Day three (October 18) features a TikTok Shop SME Digitalisation Conference, where SMEs can discover innovative ecommerce strategies and creative advertising solutions on TikTok Shop:
- TikTok Shop shoppertainment: Leading the Global E-commerce Trend Wave
- TikTok Shop in Malaysia: Unleashing Business Growth and Positive Social Impact
- E-Commerce Revolution: Harnessing TikTok Shop Ads for Impactful E-Commerce Growth
- From “Unknown’ to “Sold-out”: Unleashing the Power of E-commerce Potentials Through TikTok Shop Creators
- Innovate to Elevate: How to Gain Business Success Riding the TikTok Shop Wave
- TikTok Shop Partner (TSP): Unleashing the Power of E-commerce Business
- TikTok Shop MCN: Innovative Branding by Entertaining Engagement
Day 4: Hear from featured Malaysian startups
The final day of SDEC 2024 will highlight the top 20 local startups specialising in AI, biotech, and sustainability, presenting their innovations to venture capitalists and industry experts.
These startups have been part of Sidec’s Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP), and the final day of SDEC 2024 marks their much anticipated Demo Day.
Some of the startups that have previously been part of SAP include names familiar to Vulcan Post, such as Entomal Biotech, iMotorbike, and Virtualtech Frontier.
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Much like Sidec’s previous conventions, SDEC 2024 offers a valuable opportunity to drive innovation by showcasing cutting-edge technologies and their applications across various industries.
Attending the convention means you’ll get to network with influential leaders, policymakers, and innovators from around the world, facilitating meaningful business matching sessions and collaborations.
For those looking to visit SDEC 2024 this October 18-19, early bird tickets start from RM179. Note that the conferences you can attend are based on your passes. Get your tickets to SDEC 2024 here.
Featured Image Credit: Sidec
