Answer for Written Question PT035

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin

YANG BERHORMAT PENGIRAN HAJI ISA BIN PENGIRAN HAJI ALIUDDIN asked the MENTERI DI JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI to state the estimated number of public officers expected to require skills and competencies in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods by 2035. What is the estimated financial allocation for implementing the AI training programmes?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri

At present, the estimated number of public officers expected to require skills and competencies in the use of Artificial Intelligence methods, as well as the related allocation by 2035, has yet to be determined. Nevertheless, in line with the era of rapid technological change and the increasingly high expectations of the public, the public service needs to make decisions that are faster, more accurate and evidence-based.

Therefore, developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy and capabilities in the public sector is a strategic priority to strengthen the agility of policy formulation, improve the quality of governance, and ensure service delivery that is more efficient, transparent and ethical. The Civil Service Institute (IPA) plays a strategic role in developing the skills and competencies of public officers through three categories of AI programmes, namely Basic AI, Augmented AI, and Core/Specialised/Technical AI, including 'AI, Big Data and the Cloud for Public Good'; 'AI, Data and Blockchain', 'Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Fundamentals' and 'Data Analytics Using Machine Learning for Public Sector'.

IPA began introducing AI programmes as early as the 2022/2023 financial year, entitled 'Digital Transformation: From AI and IOT to Cloud, Blockchain and Cybersecurity' and 'Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Workplace of the Future'. Subsequently, in the 2023/2024 financial year, a large-scale initiative involving a presentation entitled 'AI in the public Sector' was also held during IPA Customer Day, with the aim of introducing AI to public officers so that they would be prepared to face technological changes and develop an understanding of AI concepts. The 'AI in the Public Sector' module was also introduced in the EDPMMO leadership programme from 2024 and in the EDPSGO programme in 2025. In 2024, a total of 28 senior officers participated in the Brunei Executive Leaders Programme under the memorandum of understanding for the Government Experience Exchange Programme with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where participants were exposed to several modules focusing on AI applications in the government sector, such as 'Digital Trends in the Government' and 'Innovation in Government'.

Throughout the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years, IPA offered 13 programmes and modules, including Basic AI programmes such as AI awareness and AI ethics, accounting for 54%; Augmented AI, or programmes supporting daily work productivity through Human-Assisted AI, accounting for 23%; and Core AI programmes for data analysis and strategic policy development, accounting for 23%. This also included a conference held in conjunction with the 32nd Public Service Day entitled "Digital Transformation and Innovation based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service" and the seminar "Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector: Learning From Best Practices", which featured speakers from Brunei, Singapore and Estonia.

These programmes support the initiatives of the Digital Brunei Council to transform Brunei into a Smart Nation and will be continued and enhanced to ensure that public officers continue to systematically strengthen their AI skills and competencies. Accordingly, for the 2026/2027 financial year, AI programmes will be provided comprising 14% Basic AI, with potential for an increase; 57% Human-Assisted Augmented AI to support routine daily tasks; and 29% Core AI, focusing on data analysis to support strategic functions.

To date, the participation of public officers in the AI programmes offered by IPA for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years has continued to increase, with a focus on AI awareness through seminars, conferences and talks. As the next step, IPA will focus on the Core AI or specialised AI programme category.

The cost of AI-related training currently implemented and offered by the Civil Service Institute (IPA) also increased from BND18,714 in 2024/2025 to BND48,928 in 2025/2026, and will subsequently increase to BND73,000 in 2026/2027.

Moving forward, the Civil Service Institute (IPA) will collaborate with the Digital Brunei Council to identify suitable programmes to be offered, as well as determine the target groups of public officers with the potential to participate in the programmes, in line with the competencies deemed necessary. The implementation of these programmes will also be subject to coordination with the DEC, particularly in identifying suitable target participants and ensuring that they align with the capacity-building priorities of the Public Service. At present, IPA is capable of implementing AI-related programmes at 3% in the 2024/2025 financial year, increasing to 5% in the 2025/2026 financial year, and further increasing to 8% in the 2026/2027 financial year.