The Philippines has announced that it will develop and present a legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI) for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when it chairs the regional bloc in 2026. This was announced by the Speaker of its House of Representatives, Martin Romualdez, at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The ASEAN Legal Framework for AI is expected to be based on the Philippines’ national draft legislation for AI and will be given as a gift to the regional bloc.As with the rest of the world, ASEAN’s AI regulatory approach is fragmented, with different governments at different stages in developing their AI policies. The below table summarises the state of AI policy development in ASEAN member states.
1 December 2023Original deadline: Publication of final next-generation spectrum policy (Cabinet approved: 29 November 2023)
1 June 2025New deadline: Commence with shutting down 2G and 3G networks
31 December 2027New deadline: Total shutdown of 2G and 3G networks
Source: Access Partnership, 2024
Access Partnership and the Data Governance Practice is closely tracking AI policy and regulatory developments around the world. If you would like to add to our table above or receive more information on the state of AI regulations and other related legislative developments in AI, please get in touch with Lim May-Ann at [email protected].