11th ASEAN Economic Community Dialogue Explores AI Governance to Unlock Regional Opportunities

JAKARTA, 4 June 2024 – Today marked the 11th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Dialogue, a key platform for discussing governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from both public and private sector perspectives. This dialogue also highlighted the ASEAN Guide on AI Ethics and Governance, recently endorsed by the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ (ADGMIN) Meeting in February 2024 in Singapore. The event aims to establish a unified approach to developing consistent AI regulations and standards across ASEAN, promoting cross-border cooperation.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya Soeprapto, (ASEAN Secretariat)

In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya Soeprapto, emphasized AI's potential to boost ASEAN's GDP by 10 to 18 percent, translating to nearly USD 1 trillion by 2030. However, he cautioned that AI's rapid growth brings risks, which ASEAN is addressing through inclusive policies, data protection, and cyber resilience to fully harness AI's potential for the ASEAN Digital Economy.

Nararya underscored ASEAN's commitment to creating a business-friendly AI governance framework to foster innovation and attract AI investments while ensuring responsible development. He highlighted the importance of ongoing cross-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration with public and private entities as AI continues to evolve and impact the region’s socio-economic sectors.

Panel discussion session. (ASEAN Secretariat)

The event included a panel discussion with representatives from Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) Singapore, MyDigital Malaysia, Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and think tanks such as ERIA, Tech for Good Institute, and Access Partnership. Global companies with significant AI investments, including Microsoft and Ernst and Young (EY), ASEAN start-ups like Savvy.com, and venture capital firm Village Capital also participated.

Microsoft's exhibition booth. (ASEAN Secretariat)

The Dialogue also featured exhibitions showcasing AI's transformative power in modern business, highlighting its ability to optimize operations, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation across industries. Participants included ERIA, Microsoft, Ernst and Young (EY), Jejakin, e-Fishery, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and Mekari, demonstrating their AI solutions and initiatives to advance AI in their organizations and the region.