Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Priorities for Southeast Asia

Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Priorities for Southeast Asia

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been become widely recognised as a beneficial and transformative tool with the potential to offer new avenues for business innovation, enable emerging markets to leapfrog traditional technologies, and develop new ways of reaching underserved populations. According to a study, it was estimated that the adoption of AI in Southeast Asia has the potential to add an estimated USD 1 trillion to the region’s GDP by 2030.

Commissioned by the Digital Prosperity for Asia (DPA), Access Partnership launched a report on Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Priorities for Southeast Asia to aid governments across the region as they think ahead and prepare their own AI strategies and approaches. The report assesses current AI guidelines in the region, highlights five key priority areas, and aims to help governments build a conducive environment for AI innovation. These areas include:

  1. Adopt appropriate cloud-first, data flow, and cybersecurity policies to harness the full potential of AI
  2. Develop a Robust AI Talent Pipeline to Close Skills Gaps
  3. Increase Awareness and Build Capacity amongst SMEs
  4. Implement AI Principles to Develop Ethical AI Systems
  5. Adopt a Risk-based Approach to AI Policymaking

As the region positions itself to becoming an AI hub, it is crucial that governments develop AI strategies that are able to effectively balance between regulation and innovation. The priorities highlighted in this report can be important first steps in helping governments think and assess their approaches to AI.

About the DPA:

The coalition for the Digital Prosperity for Asia is an organisation consisting of a growing group of innovative Asian digital companies promoting the democratisation of digital technologies across all sectors.

Our mission is to support national governments and policymakers in APAC to grow their digital economies and reap the benefit of digital technologies.

Download our Artificial Intelligence: Policies and Priorities for Southeast Asia report here:


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