AI Safety Governance: The Southeast Asian Approach
The conversation surrounding AI safety is predominantly influenced by the perspectives of the United States, Europe, and China. However, the voices from Southeast Asia remain underrepresented in the global discourse on AI governance. Despite this, many Southeast Asian countries have made significant advancements in digital and AI policy, recognizing the potential of AI while adopting pragmatic strategies for its safe development.
Current Developments in AI Governance Across Southeast Asia
This report outlines recent trends in AI governance across 11 Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Through six roundtable discussions organized by AI Safety Asia (AISA), stakeholders from various sectors—government, private, academic, and civil society—convened to share insights and identify regional priority areas for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These discussions facilitated the development of comprehensive strategies aimed at enhancing AI safety over the next five years.
Harmonizing Approaches and Building Capacity
To mitigate friction arising from differing national strategies, it is essential for ASEAN to harmonize its approaches and strengthen cooperation in areas such as capacity building, research, and catastrophic risk management. National governments can pursue impactful strategies while actively engaging with regional and international partners.
Challenges and Gaps in AI Policy
The report highlights several persistent challenges in AI policy across the region, notably the need for national AI risk management plans. Addressing these gaps is crucial for the advancement of a coherent and effective AI governance framework.
Context-Aware AI Governance
The Southeast Asian approach to AI governance offers valuable lessons for other global majority countries. The region’s cultural diversity and varying levels of development have led to a context-aware strategy that emphasizes:
- Open-source AI development
- Multilingual large language models (LLMs)
- Inclusive AI governance processes
These priorities ensure that AI policies are tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of the region.
A Call to Action
This report serves as a call to action for Southeast Asian nations to close significant policy gaps, fostering an inclusive, safe, and innovative AI future. By leveraging their unique context and collaborative potential, these countries can contribute meaningfully to the global dialogue on AI safety governance.
For a detailed exploration of the findings and recommendations, the full report is available for download.
