He said AI was no longer just a technological tool but had arguably become the next great enabler of economic competitiveness, national resilience, and even geopolitical influence.

“In many ways, AI has already disrupted how we work, search for, or present information – even how we live, interact, and entertain among ourselves. Still, there is no shortage of voices who will warn us about the challenges and dangers of this latest game-changer.

“We cannot, for example, easily dismiss the possibility of AI aggravating increased polarisation, xenophobia, racism, or propensity for war,” he said in his opening notes at a fireside chat session titled The Intelligence Grid: Building Bridges Through Sovereign AI Collaboration here today.

Tengku Zafrul was the moderator for the session, joined by three speakers: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Vietnam prime minister Pham Minh Chinh, and G42 group CEO Peng Xiao.

G42 is a technology holding company based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with a focus on AI and cloud computing.

Tengku Zafrul said that in a world often framed by “binary rivalries”, the session was choosing an alternative path.

“What we hope to explore today is how middle powers – like those in Asean and the Gulf – can shape a new model of sovereign AI collaboration: one that respects sovereign interests, while promoting shared development, mutual trust, and inclusive progress,” he said.