PDX in the Press
Media coverage of the Penang Tech Supply Chain Expo (PDX) from local and regional publications.
Sin Chew Daily (Northern)确保槟城保持竞争力 各领域须跟上AI时代
Penang's Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Han Wei told PDX2026 attendees that every sector must keep pace with the AI era to safeguard the state's competitiveness. He noted that while technology accelerates innovation, distinctly human qualities like creativity and empathy remain irreplaceable in the workplace. The conference drew international dignitaries and featured 22 speakers guiding businesses through their digital transformation journeys.
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E NanyangAI浪潮加速 中小企焦虑转型
OPERiON CEO Lukas Chen told reporters at PDX2026 that the real barrier facing SMEs is not budget but direction — many business owners know they need to digitalize but don't know where to start. The opening drew over 4,000 attendees and 91 exhibitors from across Asia, generating an estimated RM500,000 in potential sales opportunities through business matching. Two memoranda of understanding were also signed at the event to advance further digitalization initiatives.
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China Press PenangAI驱动新时代 槟须与时俱进保竞争力
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Han Wei, drawing on his own experience as an IT engineer in the 1990s, said technology has evolved so dramatically that continuous learning in both language and tech skills is now essential. “Language enhances cross-cultural communication, while technology skills enable effective direction of AI tools,” he said. Conference chairman Tan Kian Ming added that PDX2026 united talent from Penang, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Johor across 22 speakers and exhibitors to accelerate the region's technological and economic transformation.
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Buletin Mutiara全民须持续学习 掌握数码技能顺应AI时代
Wong Han Wei told the conference that technology is no longer just a tool but a major driver of societal and industrial development, urging citizens to keep learning to keep pace. He singled out two competencies young people need most: multilingual ability and fluency in “talking” to machines through programming and AI tools, warning that those who fail to master technology risk being controlled by it. He also encouraged local tourism and business operators to lean on AI and digital marketing to boost their online visibility, as PDX2026 brought together 22 speakers and exhibitors from across Malaysia to map out enterprises' AI strategies for the next five years.
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Embassy of Japan町田総領事の「PDX2026」公式開会式出席
Japan's Consul-General in Penang attended the official opening ceremony of PDX2026 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, joining government officials, industry leaders and technology partners for the launch of the two-day event. The visit was noted by the Japanese Embassy as part of ongoing diplomatic and economic engagement between Japan and Penang's growing digital and semiconductor ecosystem.
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Utusan MalaysiaAI keperluan industri pelancongan, bukan lagi pilihan
Wong Hon Wai, chair of Penang's Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, said AI adoption is “no longer a choice, but a necessity” for tourism operators looking to stay competitive amid fast-moving global technology shifts. He pointed to Penang's inclusion in the Michelin Guide and its growing appeal to Chinese tourists who rely on AI-powered apps like Dazhong Dianping, arguing that hotels and restaurants need a strong digital presence to capture that demand.
Read ArticleE Nanyang槟城大型数码展回归 PDX2026料吸引超过3000参与
PDX2026 returned to the Penang International Convention & Exhibition Centre on July 15–16, with organisers expecting more than 3,000 participants — a five-fold jump from the roughly 600 who attended the inaugural 2025 edition. OPERiON CEO Lukas J. Chen said over 70% of registrants came from outside the state, including businesses from Kuala Lumpur, China and Singapore drawn by Penang's advanced semiconductor industry. The showcase combined digital technology, smart manufacturing and ESG principles, with dedicated tracks on leadership mindset, workforce upskilling and women's entrepreneurship in the AI era.
Read ArticleOfficial Announcement: PDX 2026 Proudly Supported by MOSTI
Organisers announced that PDX2026 received official backing from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), a nod that positions the conference as an extension of Malaysia's national Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) agenda. The endorsement adds federal-level credibility to the event's push to accelerate AI adoption and digital transformation among Penang's enterprises.
Read Article数码化与人工智能会议暨展览7月举行
Coverage ahead of the July event projected PDX2026 would host around 100 exhibitors and 20 speakers, drawing more than 500 industry delegates and roughly 10,000 total participants over the two days. The scale marked a significant step up from the inaugural PDX2025 edition, reflecting rising demand from enterprises seeking guidance on digitalisation and AI adoption.
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Guangming DailyPDX 2026下月登场 料吸引万人参与
The report described PDX2026 as a milestone in consolidating Penang's position as a regional digital and innovation hub, with organisers anticipating major participation from both local and international technology players. The event was framed as part of the state's broader push to strengthen its standing in the semiconductor and AI-driven economy heading into the second half of the decade.
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Penang HyperlocalPenang Digitalization Conference & Exhibition 2026 Draws Participants from China, Singapore and Indonesia
PDX2026 drew participants from China, Singapore and Indonesia, underscoring growing international confidence in Penang as a technology hub. State Exco Wong Hon Wai said the conference “comes at a very important time as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, automation, cybersecurity, and future-ready technologies continue to transform the way we live, work, and do business.” The two-day event at Setia SPICE Convention Centre was expected to draw 10,000 attendees, over 500 industry delegates and 100 speakers covering AI, digital transformation and innovation.
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Biz + LeisurePDX2026 to Bring AI and Digitalisation Conversations to Penang
PDX2026 convened government officials, business leaders and technology experts at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre on July 15–16 to explore the future of AI and digital transformation across sectors including smart manufacturing and workforce development. Organised by OPERION with the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, the programme featured speakers from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, alongside a Food & Cultural Experience Zone showcasing Penang's culinary heritage and networking opportunities.
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Tin MediaPenang is About to Host Its Biggest-Ever AI and Digitalization Event
Ahead of the event, Tin Media reported that the two-day PDX2026 platform was expected to draw around 10,000 attendees, more than 500 industry delegates, and roughly 120 speakers, cementing its billing as Penang's biggest-ever AI and digitalisation gathering. The scale of the projected turnout reflected surging regional interest in Penang's digital and semiconductor economy.
Read ArticleBuletin Mutiara数码化与人工智能会议暨展览会7月举行
A Penang state executive councillor urged local businesses and citizens to grasp the opportunities presented by successive waves of technological revolution rather than be left behind by them. The remarks echoed a recurring theme across PDX2026 coverage: that digitalisation and AI adoption are no longer optional for enterprises hoping to remain competitive in the years ahead.
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MATRADEPenang Digitalisation-AI Conference & Exhibition
MATRADE's public event listing described the Penang Digitalisation-AI Conference & Exhibition as a platform spanning enterprise digitalisation, smart manufacturing, ESG integration and digital talent development. The listing positioned the conference as a resource for Malaysian businesses looking to connect with technology providers and government agencies supporting the country's digital economy agenda.
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MDECMalaysia as a Regional Digital Economy Gateway
MDEC's whitepaper on Malaysia as a regional digital economy gateway spotlighted the country's strengths across growth dynamics, digital talent supply and commercial real estate, positioning Malaysia as an increasingly attractive base for digital investment. The report's themes closely track the priorities championed at PDX events — digital talent development and enterprise-ready infrastructure — underscoring the national context behind Penang's own digitalisation push.
Read ArticleBuletin MutiaraPenang to Host Second Major Digital Conference with PDX2026
Penang Deputy Chief Minister Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state remains committed to becoming a regional hub for digital innovation, declaring that “the world is in Penang because we have a robust ecosystem.” Organising chairman Lukas Tan added that digitalisation and AI are now essential across every sector, with PDX2026 designed to unite the region's entire digital ecosystem — startups, investors and enterprises alike — under one roof, expected to draw 10,000 delegates and 170 technology exhibitors.
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CiC USMUSM Appointed as Official Strategic Partner for PDX2026
Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Innovation & Consultancy (CiC USM) was appointed official strategic partner for PDX2026, formalising a closer academia-industry partnership. The tie-up is expected to channel USM's research and innovation capabilities into the conference's programming, strengthening the pipeline between academic research and enterprise-ready digital and AI solutions in Penang.
Read ArticleUtusan MalaysiaPDX2026 Dijangka Tarik Kehadiran Lebih 10,000 Peserta
Organiser Lukas J. Tan said PDX2026 would be “much larger in scale” than the inaugural PDX2025, with participation expected from Japan, South Korea and most of Southeast Asia. The exhibition was set to feature 170 exhibitors and 11 speakers addressing digitalisation and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, backed by multiple agencies including Malaysia's digital economy corporation and the state government.
Read ArticleE Nanyang数字化人工智能会议展 7月槟会展中心举行
Penang's Second Deputy Chief Minister described PDX2026 as North Malaysia's largest digital and AI industry gathering, expected to attract over 10,000 delegates and 170 technology exhibitors and cementing the state's role as a regional innovation hub. OPERiON's CEO said the conference aims to “construct a unified digital ecosystem platform” linking technology providers, startups, investors and policymakers as Penang shifts from manufacturing excellence toward a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy.
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InvestPenangPenang Digitalisation Conference & Exhibition 2025 (PDX2025)
The inaugural Penang Digitalisation Conference & Exhibition (PDX2025) was held on 21 May at PICCA Convention Centre in Butterworth, targeting SMEs navigating Malaysia's digital economy transition. Organised by OPERiON with InvestPenang's support, the one-day event brought together government agencies, industry experts and more than 34 solution providers offering guidance on e-invoicing compliance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation grants — giving attendees direct access to federal and state agency updates and automation specialists.
Read ArticleUtusan MalaysiaPDX2025 Pameran, Persidangan Digital Terbesar Pulau Pinang
PDX2025 exceeded expectations by drawing over 600 participants, making it the largest digital exhibition and conference held in Penang at the time. OPERiON founder Lukas Tan said the turnout “surpassed our initial target” of 500 attendees, while then-Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow endorsed the initiative as a driver that would “help the digital transformation process for SMEs.” The three-day event included seminars on e-invoicing and business grants for small enterprises.
Read ArticleSin Chew DailyPDX2025圆满举行 反应比预期热烈
PDX2025 drew over 500 participants to Batu Kawan over its six-month initiative window, featuring 34 exhibitors and keynote speakers covering e-invoicing, government subsidies, cybersecurity and digital blueprints. A state leader said the measures would “strengthen enterprise operational capacity,” while OPERiON CEO Lukas Chen described the shift as “a cultural shift in how enterprises operate and serve customers” rather than a purely technical upgrade.
Read ArticleUtusan MalaysiaPDX2025 Platform Bantu Peniaga Hadapi Cabaran Transformasi Digital
Organised by OPERiON Ecommerce & Software Sdn Bhd, PDX2025 brought together 34 exhibitors, 10 panellists and four government agencies on 21 May, with registrations exceeding 370 against an initial target of 500. Founder Lukas Tan said the platform “provides clear guidance and practical resources in one place” to help traders progress confidently through digitalisation, with sessions covering e-invoicing, grants and business incentives and participation packages ranging from RM50 to RM799.
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IT, New Media & SoftwarePDX2025 Was Successfully Held and the Response Was More Enthusiastic Than Expected
The press release recapped PDX2025's successful run, noting that dozens of technology and service exhibitors took part alongside strong business and public engagement throughout the event. It framed the turnout as validation of Penang's appetite for structured, accessible digital transformation programming aimed squarely at SMEs and traders.
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