Overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a disruptive force, it is fast becoming the scaffolding of Southeast Asia’s digital future. However, as technology accelerates, so too does a more urgent question: how can ASEAN ensure that AI grows with purpose, not just power?
This showcase captures the region’s emerging answer, one rooted not in uniformity, but in shared values. From national strategies to regional roadmaps, from innovative city collaborations to ethical governance frameworks, ASEAN is crafting its path: cautious yet confident, pragmatic yet principled.
What’s taking shape is not merely an AI vision, but an ASEAN approach, where inclusivity, trust, and economic alignment are the core code behind the algorithms.
The ASEAN Guide on AI
As Southeast Asia undergoes rapid digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly central, not only to economic growth and public service delivery, but also to how societies interact with emerging technologies. In navigating this shift, ASEAN is showing signs of convergence not through identical policies, but through a shared commitment to govern AI responsibly, inclusively, and collaboratively.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn underscored this commitment during his keynote at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025, where he affirmed: “Trust, transparency, and accountability must become the cornerstones of our shared digital transformation.” These principles now underpin regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (2024) and the ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap (2025), foundational frameworks designed to steer national AI efforts toward common values. But blueprints alone are not enough. Their real impact depends on how they’re contextualized and implemented on the ground.
One compelling example of this is the recent forum “Advancing AI Policy for Local Industries”, hosted in Indonesia under the Japan–ASEAN Partnership on Ethical AI Governance and Digital Transformation, organized by Vokasi Universitas Indonesia. The event brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, and civil society, creating a space for dialogue on the ethical implementation, practical readiness, and shared learning. Across various sectors, including banking, retail, and manufacturing, participants acknowledged that the adoption of AI is accelerating. Yet many voiced concern that governance and ethics are struggling to keep pace. As Oscar Gomulia, from the Asosiasi Industri Teknologi Informasi Indonesia (AITI-Indonesia), put it: “We are moving fast in adoption, but we must catch up in ensuring responsible use.” One significant outcome of the forum was the presentation of a relational model for AI governance, which centers five interconnected actors: consumers, businesses, data ecosystems, society, and users. Speakers emphasized that accountability doesn’t rest solely with policymakers. Developers, vendors, and users alike share responsibility in shaping ethical AI.
In an exclusive in-depth interview, Matheace Rama Putra, Advisory Board at Indonesia AI Society (IAIS), highlighted three critical imperatives shaping ASEAN’s AI future. First, he emphasized the need to build a profitable ecosystem that balances supply and demand, noting that “AI cannot thrive if industries beyond the tech sector don’t experience real, organic demand. Developers, users, and traditional sectors must all gain, not just the digital elite.” Second, he described ethics not as a barrier, but as a necessary transitional value. Much like sustainability certifications or food safety labels, ethical AI should offer a visible, marketable advantage: “When consumers see that ethical systems add value, they willingly engage, and trust becomes a feature, not a regulation.”Finally, on the regional stage of AI Development, he framed ASEAN’s role not as an enforcer, but as a unifier of shared values: “We don’t need a supranational authority. What we need is time-bound, value-driven alignment built through dialogue, not mandates.”
Momentum across the region continues to grow. Vietnam, for instance, has committed to full-scale AI integration by 2030 in sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture (Antara News, 2025). Laos is advancing AI for both industrial and ethical use cases (Asia News Network, 2024), while Malaysia has launched a dedicated platform AI.gov.my to institutionalize its AI strategy.
On the cooperation front, Indonesia and Vietnam have also agreed to strengthen bilateral AI collaboration, especially in developing smart cities (CNBC Indonesia, 2025). This signals a larger regional trend: ASEAN’s digital transformation is increasingly being shaped by mutual trust, shared priorities, and strategic partnerships. The central insight was clear: ASEAN's strength lies not in harmonizing policy, but in aligning values and action across different national contexts.
As Dr. Kao aptly concluded: “We have a chance to co-create a future where AI serves humanity with purpose, guided by ethical principles and inclusive practices.”
With grounded regional dialogues, active national strategies, and deepening multilateral coordination, ASEAN is proving that responsible AI is not just aspirational, but entirely within reach.
References
Antara News. (2025, July 25). Vietnam targets comprehensive AI implementation by 2030.https://www.antaranews.com/berita/4875757/vietnam-targetkan-penerapan-ai-yang-menyeluruh-pada-2030
Asia News Network. (October 30, 2024). AI is seen to advance digital governance, industry, and ethics in Laos. https://asianews.network/ai-seen-to-advance-digital-governance-industry-ethics-in-laos/
CNBC Indonesia. (2025, June 13). Indonesia partners with Vietnam to develop AI and smart cities. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20250613062102-17-640630/ri-gandeng-vietnam-kembangkan-ai-hingga-kota-cerdas
Keio University, Vokasi Universitas Indonesia, & The Japan Foundation. (2025). Advancing AI policy for local industries: Japan–ASEAN partnership on ethical AI governance and digital transformation [Forum proceedings].
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation. (n.d.). National AI portal. https://ai.gov.my
Kao, K. K. H. (2025, July 26). Keynote speech at the World AI Conference, Shanghai. ASEAN Secretariat. https://asean.org
Putra, M. R. (July 29, 2025). Personal interview [Exclusive interview on ASEAN BAC Lens Edition]. Conducted by OpenAI for policy showcase briefing.
