PENANG DIGITALISATION-AI
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2026

“Leading Organisations Through AI, Innovation & the Digital Economy”

Strategy · Leadership · Technology · Talent · Governance

Supported by

In Conjunction of

Digital Economy Partner

PDX2026 Strategic Pillars

Leadership & Change

Exploring how leaders navigate disruption, lead transformation, and build resilient organisations in the age of AI and intelligent systems.

Digital Transformation & Enterprise Strategy

Focusing on how organisations plan, prioritise, and execute digitalisation initiatives to stay competitive, scalable, and future-ready.

Environmental, Social, and Governance

Exploring how organisations leverage technology to strengthen ESG oversight, accountability and long-term organisational resilience in a regulated digital economy.

Smart Manufacturing & Automation

Examining how Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing & automation are reshaping manufacturing, operations, and sustainable enterprise growth.

Future-Ready Workforce

Understanding how AI and digitalisation reshape talent strategies, workforce planning, leadership pipelines, and inclusive growth.

Conference Participants & Delegate Access

The PDX2026 Conference is tailored for MNCs, corporates, and senior decision-makers seeking strategic clarity on AI adoption, digital transformation, governance, and workforce readiness.

Delegates gain access to curated keynote sessions, expert panels, government briefings, and executive networking — designed to support enterprise-level planning, leadership development, and informed decision-making in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

🎟 Delegate Ticket Options

HRD Corp Claimable

For MNCs & corporates eligible for HRD Corp training claims

Self Paid Conference

For individuals and organisations not claiming HRD Corp

Limited seats available. Hurry Secure Your Seat Now!

Conference Agenda & Programme

July 15th Wednesday

Unleash the Future in the Age of AI

The future of business is no longer defined by technology alone, but by how leaders position their organisations in an AI-driven world. In this powerful opening keynote, Dr. Jerome Joseph, a globally recognised brand strategist and transformation expert, sets the stage for PDX2026 by addressing the critical intersection of AI, leadership, and market relevance. As industries evolve rapidly, organisations must rethink not only how they operate, but how they differentiate, compete, and stay meaningful in an increasingly digital economy.
Drawing from decades of international advisory experience, this session will explore how leading companies are aligning brand, workforce, and digital strategy to stay ahead. Participants will gain insights into why AI adoption without clear positioning leads to commoditisation, and how leaders can instead leverage transformation as a competitive advantage. This keynote delivers both strategic clarity and urgency, making it essential for CEOs, C-level executives, and decision-makers navigating disruption.

Building Skills & Workforce Transformation in the Digital Era

As organisations accelerate their digitalisation journey, the real challenge lies not in technology adoption, but in workforce readiness. This session addresses the growing gap between digital ambition and human capability, highlighting the urgent need for structured workforce transformation strategies. With global studies indicating that more than half of employees will require reskilling within the next few years, organisations must act decisively to remain competitive.
Puteri Simaa Binti Megat Ismail will share practical perspectives on how businesses can develop future-ready talent, align HR strategies with digital transformation goals, and build resilient teams capable of adapting to AI-driven environments. This session is particularly relevant for HR leaders and corporate decision-makers seeking to translate digital vision into real organisational capability.

ASEAN Digital Leaders Forum: Innovation Beyond Borders

Southeast Asia is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic digital economies, presenting unprecedented opportunities for businesses ready to expand beyond their local markets. This ASEAN Digital Leaders Forum brings together ecosystem leaders from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia to discuss how cross-border collaboration is shaping the future of innovation, investment, and digital growth across the region.
The session will explore key trends driving ASEAN’s digital economy, including regional partnerships, startup ecosystems, and market expansion strategies. For organisations looking to scale, this forum provides valuable insights into how to position themselves within the broader ASEAN landscape, making it highly relevant for business leaders seeking growth, partnerships, and regional influence.

ASEAN Digital Leaders Forum: Innovation Beyond Borders

MIDA – Initiatives & Incentives Highlights

Panel Discussion : Driving Intelligent Operations in Industry 4.0: Transforming Manufacturing for Strategic Advantage

Manufacturing is undergoing a significant transformation as Industry 4.0 technologies reshape how factories operate, compete, and scale. This panel brings together industry leaders to discuss how organisations are leveraging AI, automation, and data-driven systems to drive operational efficiency and strategic advantage. In key industrial regions such as Penang and Kulim, the shift toward intelligent operations is no longer optional but essential for staying competitive in global supply chains.
The discussion will highlight real-world applications, including predictive maintenance, smart manufacturing systems, and digital integration across production processes. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how companies are achieving measurable improvements in productivity, cost efficiency, and decision-making, making this session highly valuable for manufacturing leaders, engineers, and operations decision-makers.

Panel Discussion : ESG, Sustainability & Compliance in the Digital Enterprise

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is rapidly becoming a core requirement for businesses operating in today’s global economy. Beyond compliance, ESG now directly influences investment decisions, supply chain partnerships, and long-term business sustainability. This panel brings together industry and sustainability leaders to explore how organisations can effectively integrate ESG practices into their operations while leveraging digital tools for transparency and reporting.
The session will address the growing expectations from regulators, investors, and multinational partners, and how companies can align sustainability goals with business performance. Participants will gain practical insights into building ESG-ready organisations that not only meet compliance standards but also create long-term value and resilience in a competitive market.

SIRIM – Initiatives & Incentives Highlights

July 16th Thursday

From Data to Decisions: How Leaders Turn Data into Competitive Advantage

In today’s data-driven economy, organisations are generating more information than ever before, yet many struggle to translate data into meaningful business outcomes. This session focuses on how leaders can bridge that gap by building data-driven strategies that enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and overall competitiveness. Companies that successfully leverage data are consistently outperforming their peers in productivity and profitability.
Participants will gain insights into how to structure data ecosystems, integrate analytics into business processes, and utilise AI tools to generate actionable intelligence. This session is particularly valuable for senior leaders and decision-makers looking to unlock the full potential of data as a strategic asset.

Fireside Chat : Transformation Journey to IPO

Scaling a business from growth stage to IPO requires more than ambition — it demands strategic clarity, strong governance, and disciplined execution. This fireside chat provides a rare opportunity to learn directly from leaders who have navigated this journey, offering practical insights into the challenges and decisions that shape a company’s path to public listing.
The discussion will cover key areas such as building scalable systems, attracting investor confidence, and aligning business strategy with long-term valuation goals. For entrepreneurs, founders, and corporate leaders, this session delivers both inspiration and actionable lessons on achieving sustainable growth at scale.

Fireside Chat : Transformation Journey to IPO

MOSTI – Initiatives & Incentives Highlights

Securing the Digital Enterprise: Cybersecurity, Compliance & Governance in the Era of Transformation

As organisations embrace digital transformation, cybersecurity has become a critical priority at every level of the business. The increasing complexity of digital ecosystems, combined with the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, requires organisations to adopt a proactive and structured approach to security, compliance, and governance. This session explores how enterprises can safeguard their operations while maintaining trust and resilience in a digital-first environment.
Led by Nabila Hussain from Microsoft, the session will provide insights into emerging cybersecurity trends, regulatory requirements, and best practices for protecting digital assets. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how to build secure, compliant, and future-ready organisations in an increasingly connected world.

Panel Discussion: Building Inclusive Talent: Driving Gender Equality in the Digital Economy

Inclusive talent development is no longer just a social initiative but a strategic driver of innovation and business performance. Organisations that embrace diversity and inclusion are better positioned to adapt, innovate, and compete in the evolving digital economy. This panel discussion focuses on how businesses can build inclusive workforce strategies that support gender equality and unlock the full potential of their talent.
The session will explore practical approaches to developing diverse leadership pipelines, fostering inclusive workplace cultures, and aligning talent strategies with long-term business goals. For organisations seeking sustainable growth, this discussion highlights the importance of inclusion as a key component of digital transformation success.

Panel Discussion: Building Inclusive Talent: Driving Gender Equality in the Digital Economy

MPC- Initiatives Highlights

Afternoon Break & Networking

PDX2026 Closing Reflections
From Myth to Momentum: Rethinking Digital Transformation for the Future

Digital transformation is often misunderstood, leading many organisations to invest heavily without achieving meaningful results. In this closing keynote, Lukas J Tan challenges common misconceptions and reframes digital transformation as a strategic, structured, and outcome-driven journey. Drawing from real-world experience, he highlights why many initiatives fail and what organisations must do differently to succeed.
This session brings together key insights from across PDX2026, offering a clear and actionable perspective on how leaders can align strategy, people, and technology to create real impact. As the conference concludes, participants will leave with a stronger sense of direction and urgency, equipped to move forward with confidence in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

Recognize the speakers

Ts. Lukas J. Tan

Chief Executive Officer
OPERION Ecommerce and Software Sdn Bhd

Dato' Ong Bee Leng

Chief Executive Officer
Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC)

Be Part of the Event

Speakers

Booth & Showcases

Target Participants

0 k

Exhibition & Solution Showcase

The PDX2026 Exhibition brings together AI providers, digital solution companies, automation specialists, software vendors, and service providers showcasing practical technologies that support business transformation.

Designed as a business and innovation ecosystem, the exhibition enables SMEs, entrepreneurs, business owners, and solution buyers to explore emerging technologies, discover use cases, and connect directly with providers across AI, digitalisation, automation, marketing, cloud, and enterprise solutions.

The exhibition runs alongside the conference, creating a dynamic environment where ideas meet execution, and solutions meet real business needs.