Professor Dr. Patrick Then

Leading with Vision, Grounded in Purpose

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping economies and societies worldwide, and at the forefront of Sarawak’s journey stands Professor Dr. Patrick Then. As Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC), he leads the state’s AI ecosystem through research, trusted governance, talent development and strategic partnership.

A Career Built at the Intersection of Research and Impact

Professor Dr. Patrick Then is a distinguished AI researcher, academic leader and technology strategist with more than twenty years across research, higher education and digital transformation. Before joining SAIC, he was Head of the School of ICT and Director of the Centre for Digital Futures at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus.

From the Classroom to the State Stage

Professor Patrick’s path reflects a steady progression from academic excellence to strategic leadership — from teaching and research to overseeing academic programmes, building research capacity and fostering collaboration among universities, government, healthcare and industry.

Two Decades of Teaching, Research, and Mentorship

Over two decades, Professor Patrick has advanced higher education through teaching, postgraduate supervision and interdisciplinary research, authoring peer-reviewed papers in AI and digital health and translating research into practical innovation and commercialization.

Turning Discovery into Practical Value

Research has been central to Professor Patrick’s career, exploring how AI can be applied responsibly across healthcare, government and industry to deliver measurable impact — grounded in ethics, transparency, accountability and public trust.

Building Sarawak’s AI Ecosystem

As CEO of the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre, Professor Patrick leads one of Malaysia’s most significant state-level AI initiatives. SAIC serves as Sarawak’s centre of excellence, uniting government, academia, industry and international partners, with an emphasis on trustworthy, secure AI and strong data governance.

Toward a Trusted, Regionally Recognised AI Hub

Aligning AI with Sarawak’s development priorities, Professor Patrick supports the transformation of government services, economic sectors and public institutions — advancing AI literacy, governance, research and talent toward a Sarawak recognised as a centre of excellence for responsible AI.

Shaping Sarawak’s AI-Driven Future

Professor Dr. Patrick Then continues to shape Sarawak’s AI-driven future through his leadership at SAIC, building trusted AI capabilities that support the state’s digital economy — with governance, talent and collaboration at its centre.

Leadership Priorities & Areas of Expertise

Leadership Priorities

• Responsible AI
• AI Governance & Readiness
• Talent Development
• Research & Innovation
• International Collaboration
• Digital Transformation
• Economic Growth

Areas of Expertise

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Computer Vision
• Digital Health & Health Informatics
• Data Analytics
• AI Governance
• Digital Transformation Strategy

Professional Memberships

• Fellow, European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
• Fellow, Society for Design and Process Science (USA)
• Senior Member, IEEE
• Senior Member, Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Career Milestones

• Chief Executive Officer, SAIC
• Head, School of ICT — Swinburne Sarawak
• Director, Centre for Digital Futures
• 20+ years in AI research & higher education