ASEAN To Establish AI Safety Initiative

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 27 (Bernama) -- ASEAN, under Malaysia’s current chairmanship, is establishing the ASEAN AI Safety Network (AI Safe) to promote ethical innovation, institutionalise safety protocols, and strengthen regional cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI).

ASEAN secretary-general Datuk Dr Kao Kim Hourn said the initiative reflects the region’s commitment to embedding trust, transparency, and accountability in AI development.

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Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on Saturday, Kao said ASEAN is ready to work closely with China through the ASEAN-China 2025 Digital Work Plan to build a resilient and equitable AI partnership.

He cautioned that while AI brings efficiency, it also poses serious risks, as autonomous AI agents and generative technologies lack ethical reasoning and are prone to bias, manipulation, and unintended harm.

“Generative AI heightens threats such as misinformation, deepfakes, and cybersecurity breaches,” Kao said in remarks released by the ASEAN Secretariat.

He said without proper governance, these developments could deepen inequality and erode privacy. He called for urgent international co-operation to ensure AI serves human welfare.

Kao also welcomed the launch of the China-ASEAN AI Centre, aimed at supporting responsible AI deployment in the region, while noting the China-ASEAN Digital Academy as a key effort to bridge digital skills gaps by offering training and tools to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and underserved communities.

He called on governments, industry, and academia to collaborate in shaping a future where AI is inclusive, ethical, and sustainable.

“Our path forward is clear: unlock new co-operation, drive engines of growth, and create opportunities across ASEAN, China, and beyond,” Kao added.

-- BERNAMA