On 4 July 2024, FDS Research and Development Division (RDD) hosted an exciting workshop titled 'AI in Forestry – Bridging Technology and Nature' at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) facilitated by the Agritix team.

Officiated by the Director of FDS, YBhg. Datu Haji Hamden bin Haji Mohammad, the workshop hosted a significant audience of 80 participants, including senior officials, division heads, field officers and staffs from various research departments and forest resource management.

The workshop aimed to showcase the transformative potential and practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of forestry, while also introducing the fundamentals of what AI is and how it works. Participants get to learn about the innovative uses of AIs in our daily life, and get a glimpse into the endless exciting potential of generative AIs as well.

A highlight of the event was during the hands-on session, Agritix also provided the participants with practical experience of AI tools through the use of the Xylorix Inspector app, which enables rapid and robust automated wood identification through the use of a smartphone coupled with the Xylorix WIDK-24X01 24x macro lens. With this, the attendees were able to deepen their understanding on practical AI tool and experience such state-of-the-art technology.

Through this workshop, participants gained valuable insights into the fundamentals of AIs and practical applications of AI in forestry, and keeping up to date with the various exciting AI tools that are available nowadays. By leveraging AI, the Forest Department of Sarawak and its personnels will stand to benefit tremendously from it through enhanced monitoring, protection, and management of Sarawak's valuable forest resources.