Putrajaya: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today cautioned that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic engineering must be governed in advance to avoid the historical mistake of 'building first and governing later.' His Royal Highness noted that the world failed to establish a regulatory framework for the atomic bomb before its detonation and urged the global community not to repeat such an error with the converging technologies of this century.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sultan Nazrin delivered his keynote address at the opening of the 8th Putrajaya Forum 2026, held in conjunction with the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Asia (NATSEC Asia) exhibitions. He emphasized that while emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and advanced communication provide powerful tools to enhance security, they are also reshaping the global risk landscape.
Sultan Nazrin said AI could be deployed to deter cyber threats in real time by identifying anomalies faster than any human operator, adding that practical analytics can anticipate risks to enable pre-emptive action rather than reactive measures. He noted that blockchain technology offers enhanced data integrity to ensure transparency and reduce fraud, while advanced surveillance systems and satellite technologies can improve public safety and disaster response.
However, His Royal Highness also pointed out the grave risks carried by these technologies. The deployment of AI in military contexts could inadvertently precipitate conflict, and automation bias could lead humans to place too much trust in machines, allowing them to make life-or-death decisions that break moral and legal rules. He cautioned that errors caused by AI in nuclear systems could have catastrophic consequences.
In the digital realm, Sultan Nazrin highlighted, quantum computing poses a huge threat to online security, while deepfakes have the potential to destabilize society through dangerous distortions of truth. Critical infrastructure, including energy grids and financial systems, is increasingly digitized and exposed to risks that could compromise national sovereignty without a single shot being fired.
Sultan Nazrin called for deeper ASEAN cooperation, particularly in developing AI governance frameworks that reflect regional values and ensuring the fair distribution of technological gains. He stressed that regional collaboration, rather than competition alone, is key to meaningful and sustainable progress, stating, "True security lies in working together, not in isolation."
Putrajaya Forum 2026 is part of the broader DSA and NATSEC Asia 2026 programs, recognized as among the region's premier defense and homeland security events, attracting global participation and facilitating dialogue on critical security issues. Themed 'ASEAN Security at the Edge of Emerging Technologies,' this year's forum focuses on how rapid technological advancements are reshaping defense strategies, security frameworks, and regional cooperation in an increasingly complex security landscape.