AI policy snapshot following Seoul Summit

On 21-22 May 2024, South Korea and the UK hosted the second AI Safety Summit in Seoul, following up on inaugural discussions held at Bletchley Park in the UK in November 2023. 

The summit saw mostly developed countries raise their concerns about the risks and safety of AI deployment, with representatives from a number of leaders in the AI space including Chat-GPT developed OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Microsoft, and Anthropic present, and continue discussions on a way forward for global AI governance.  

Building on the Bletchley Park Declaration, the Seoul summit continued to emphasize AI safety but also addressed new challenges and opportunities that have risen over the past year.  

The major outcomes from the summit included a reinforced global commitment to deploying safe AI development, while adding innovation and inclusivity to the agenda by promoting global AI standards and governance globally. The summit highlighted the successful establishment of AI safety institutes in a number of democratic countries, with co-hosts UK and Korea securing an intention by 10 countries and the EU for the institutes to cooperate. This intent is embodied in the Seoul Statement of Intent toward International Cooperation on Al Safety Science, an annex to the Seoul Declaration for Safe, Innovative and Inclusive AI. 

While Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore attended the inaugural summit in the UK, Singapore was the only representative from the ASEAN region this round. While Singapore has been highly active in supporting AI development and policy, the lack of attendance is not reflective of the activity on the ground in ASEAN.   

Southeast Asia has a growing digital economy, with tech-savvy young demographic and a growing cohort of companies seeking to expand AI-driven technology in diverse areas from healthcare to transportation. It is projected that implementing AI could boost GDP growth in the region up to $ 950 billion by 2030. However, alongside the potential benefits of this technology for Southeast Asia, there are concerns among governments in the region regarding the impact on national security, economic security, and issues like disinformation. 

It is essential that the region continues to feed in to global discussions. Indeed, the summit closely follows the release of ASEAN’s AI Governance Framework, which lays out guiding principles emphasizing transparency, fairness, human centricity, accountability, and robustness. These may provide a useful starting point for ASEAN member states’ policy approach, though there will likely be a diverse range of approaches shaped by the unique landscape in each market. 

The following gives a brief snapshot of AI policy developments in key markets in the region:   

Singapore 

Following the Seoul summit, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong released a public statement emphasizing the need for safety, inclusivity, and innovation with three suggestions:  

1. Regulate AI without hindering potential innovation 

2. Development of Singapore’s AI Verify tool kit that tests safety, that will be improved with global cooperation and the open-source community.  

3. Recognition of the importance of international cooperation in all countries. 

Singapore has already launched a National AI Strategy 2.0, which aims to develop talent and promote the growing AI industry. The focus is on attracting AI capabilities, with no immediate plans to regulate AI or establish regulations. Currently, efforts are underway to develop advisory guidelines on personal data use in AI recommendation and decision systems. 

Malaysia 

Malaysia has announced a long-term goal to develop an AI Act as part of its National AI Roadmap 2021-2025 (AI-RMAP). Further, the National Artificial Intelligence Governance Ethics (AIGE) paper was released to support risk mitigation. The government is prioritizing the need for a legal framework for AI, monitoring developments in the EU AI Act, Japan, and ASEAN closely. 

Thailand 

Thailand’s approach seeks to encouraging digital innovation while focusing on content regulation when it comes to managing risks. While starting a process to draft AI laws, these efforts are reportedly still under consideration; Thailand is currently taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, balancing opportunities and an approach to safety based on a risk-based approach to AI that prioritizes issues such as disinformation and AI-induced discrimination. 

Indonesia  

Indonesia has specific AI regulations highlighting ethical standards and requirements. These regulations target specific classifications of business activities and government agencies. Future regulations on AI may include Government or Presidential Regulations on AI and a Presidential Regulation on the National AI Strategy. 

Vietnam 

Vietnam has not yet implemented specific AI regulation. AI companies can operate in the market if they adhere to ethical standards and Vietnamese law. However, government efforts in the future may include the drafting of national standards on AI and big data. 

Philippines 

There is currently no AI-specific regulation but the Speaker of the House expressed the intent to create an AI legal framework by 2025. A 2019 AI Roadmap released by the Department of Trade addresses various AI considerations, including ethics, labor, intellectual property, and data privacy. 

Policy activity in ASEAN markets has been driven by market-specific interests – the impact of AI on the offshoring and outsourcing industry is particularly important for the Philippines, Indonesia has a burgeoning homegrown tech sector, Singapore is already establishing itself as a hub for both the tech and finance aspects of the AI sector. However, a regional view and better coordination would help ASEAN have its interests reflected as a rule-maker rather than a rule-taker. The ASEAN AI guidance represents an important first step.  

About the Southeast Asia Public Policy Institute 

The Southeast Asia Public Policy Institute is a research institute based in Bangkok and Singapore, working across the region. Our mission is to support the development of solutions to the most pressing public policy challenges facing Southeast Asia in the 21st century. The Institute undertakes in-depth research to develop actionable policy solutions on a range of issues across sustainability, technology, public health, trade, and governance. We convene dialogues with stakeholders and decisionmakers to drive discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing markets across the region. The Institute draws on a network of in-market researchers, advisors, and partners to provide insights and recommendations for governments, policymakers, and businesses.