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International / Regional Body

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

25TOTAL
5OFFICIAL SOURCES
12TOPIC AREAS
Policy / Guidance7
National Strategy5
Standard / Framework2
Other11
Agentic AiCopyright & IpCybersecurityData Privacy & ProtectionDeepfakesDefense & SecurityGenerative AINational StrategyOnline Safety & Child ProtectionSafe & Responsible AiSandboxTrade & Investment
Standard / Framework

ASEAN leaders convene to operationalise Singapore's new Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI

It is reported that ASEAN leaders from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have initiated a collaborative effort to implement Singapore's newly introduced Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI. This framework, announced by Singapore's Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, at the World Economic Forum, is the first of its kind globally, providing comprehensive guidelines for the responsible deployment of autonomous AI agents. The initiative, spearheaded by Armor and Microsoft Solutions Partner for Security, aims to address emerging compliance challenges as AI oversight tightens across the region. The framework emphasizes assessing and managing risks, maintaining human accountability, implementing technical controls, and ensuring end-user responsibility, thereby fostering a secure and trustworthy AI ecosystem within ASEAN.

9 February 2026Agentic Ai
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Other

Indonesia calls for ASEAN-Japan action on AI, music royalties

It is reported that during the first ASEAN-Japan Ministers of Law Meeting in Manila, Indonesia has proposed a special session between Japan and ASEAN to address music royalties and AI on digital platforms. Law Minister Supratman Agtas emphasized the need for a workshop on intellectual property, focusing on royalties from music and media content generated or distributed by global AI platforms. Indonesia is preparing the "Indonesian Proposal," officially titled "The Indonesian Proposal for a Legally Binding Instrument on the Governance of Copyright Royalty in the Digital Environment," which aims to promote economic fairness for creators and the creative industry in the digital era. This proposal is set to be discussed at the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) session at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva in December 2025.

15 November 2025Copyright & IpGenerative AI
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National Strategy✓ Official

Philippines launches ASEAN 2026 chairmanship with focus on AI

Philippines has launched its ASEAN 2026 chairmanship with a focus on AI, aiming to position the nation as a leader in AI development within the region. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of AI in driving economic growth and innovation, highlighting initiatives such as the establishment of the country's first AI hub for training and research. The government has also requested an additional P5.2 billion to prepare for the 2026 ASEAN Summit, underscoring the commitment to integrating AI into national and regional strategies.

14 November 2025National Strategy
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Other

ASEAN AI Safety Network regional HQ to be established in Kuala Lumpur

It is reported that the regional headquarters of the ASEAN Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Network (ASEAN AI Safe) will be established in Kuala Lumpur early 2026. At the 47th ASEAN Summit, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced that the ASEAN AI Safe Secretariat will coordinate programs and activities to strengthen regional collaboration and advance progress in AI safety. This initiative aims to create a safe, reliable, and inclusive AI ecosystem across ASEAN member states, aligning with regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and the ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap 2025-2030.

28 October 2025CybersecurityData Privacy & Protection
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Other

ASEAN to establish AI Safety Initiative

It is reported that ASEAN, under Malaysia’s chairmanship, is launching the ASEAN AI Safety Network (AI Safe) to enhance ethical innovation and safety protocols in AI, as stated by ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn during the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. This initiative aims to foster regional cooperation and reflects the commitment to ensuring trust, transparency, and accountability in AI development, particularly in light of challenges posed by generative AI, such as misinformation and cybersecurity threats. Dr. Kao emphasized the need for collaboration among governments, industry, and academia to create an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable AI future.

27 July 2025Generative AICybersecurityOnline Safety & Child Protection
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National Strategy

Vietnam Prime Minister emphasises strategic role of AI at international forum in Malaysia

It is reported that Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, speaking at an international forum in Malaysia, underscored AI as a top strategic priority for socio-economic growth and called for deeper cooperation between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to harness their complementary strengths in AI development. Among other points, Prime Minister Chinh advocated for governments to create enabling policies and modern institutional frameworks, placing businesses and people at the center of AI progress, while urging developed countries to provide technical and financial support to developing nations to ensure inclusive and equitable AI advancement that leaves no one behind.

28 May 2025National Strategy
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Other✓ Official

Philippines President Marcos Jr. pushes for ethical, responsible AI at ASEAN summit

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines will advocate for the development of a common regional framework for ethical and responsible AI aligned with ASEAN values at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. Emphasizing the importance of an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order, President Marcos Jr said this initiative aims to build a future-ready, competitive, people-centered, and sustainable ASEAN amid challenges such as regional tensions, maritime security, climate change, economic instability, and digital disruption. President Marcos Jr also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation, supporting ASEAN centrality, and enhancing the well-being of both Filipinos and the broader Southeast Asian community.

25 May 2025Agentic AiData Privacy & ProtectionCybersecurity
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Standard / Framework

Malaysia plans ASEAN-focused AI trust framework

It is reported that Malaysia is developing a national AI trust framework that caters to its societal needs, with intentions to expand this initiative throughout the ASEAN region, according to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo at the sidelines of the PwC Malaysia’s AI Leadership Conference 2025. The National AI Office is currently working on this framework, engaging with various stakeholders including industry, academia, and civil society. Malaysia is set to host the ASEAN AI Summit in August 2025. Further details of this framework have yet to be revealed.

14 May 2025Data Privacy & ProtectionCybersecurity
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Other

China - ASEAN AI lab established

It is reported that Malaysia's MY E.G. Services Berhad (MyEG) and China's Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Investment Group have partnered to establish the Malaysia-China AI Innovation and Cooperation Centre, designated as the flagship China–ASEAN AI Lab. This initiative, supported by both governments, aims to integrate blockchain, generative AI, and robotics technologies for cross-border applications tailored to local cultures. Located at Zetrix Tower in Petaling Jaya, the lab will involve leading companies like Huawei, DJI, and Alibaba, with its first service enabling mutual recognition of national digital IDs between Malaysia and China. The Guangxi government has allocated $1.38 billion to support such projects under the China–ASEAN program.

11 April 2025Generative AIData Privacy & ProtectionCybersecurity
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National Strategy

ASEAN Roadmap on Responsible AI 2025-30 adopted

ASEAN has adopted a plan to promote ethical AI development and deployment by 2030. This plan, the Roadmap on Responsible AI 2025-2030, provides customized actions for member states, focusing on areas like boosting government AI skills, building regional partnerships, improving digital infrastructure, engaging communities, creating secure data-sharing, and encouraging open discussions on AI governance. It works alongside existing ethical guidelines (such as the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics) and supports the region's broader digital goals.

5 March 2025Data Privacy & ProtectionCybersecurity
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Policy / Guidance

ASEAN releases expanded guide on AI governance and ethics

ASEAN has released the "Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics for Generative AI". This expanded guide supplements the existing ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (2024), which focuses on traditional AI technologies, with policy considerations related to generative AI. The expanded guide provides a view of the opportunities and risks of generative AI and recommends a range of policy recommendations for ASEAN to support its responsible adoption. In particular, the expanded guide highlights six key risks: (1) mistakes and anthropomorphism; (2) factual inaccuracies; (3) deepfakes; (4) IP infringements; (5) privacy and confidentiality; and (6) proportion of embedded biases. The expanded guide also provides ASEAN-specific use cases for generative AI from Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and ASEAN-wide.

17 January 2025Generative AIDeepfakesData Privacy & Protection
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Other✓ Official

US and ASEAN statement on promoting safe, secure and trustworthy AI

At the 12th ASEAN-United States Summit in Vientiane, Laos, the US and ASEAN released a statement outlining 20 key initiatives aimed at enhancing the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on AI governance, capacity building, and promoting safe and trustworthy AI systems. It emphasizes collaboration on digital economy frameworks, inclusivity in AI development, and the importance of cybersecurity and human rights. The commitments also include efforts to close digital divides and empower vulnerable communities, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all.

19 October 2024CybersecurityData Privacy & Protection
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Policy / Guidance

ASEAN representatives discuss an expanded ASEAN guide on AI governance and ethics

It has been reported that, at a consultative workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, ASEAN representatives have gathered to discuss the "Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics", a document aimed at streamlining the design, development and deployment of AI systems, while ensuring that they adhere to ethical standards across ASEAN. The document has yet to be made public, but each member state is currently consulting with its respective stakeholders to gather feedback.

17 October 2024Data Privacy & Protection
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Other✓ Official

ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade negotiations conclude, covering AI

The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade negotiations have concluded at the 27th ASEAN-China Summit. Commenced in 2022, the upgrade (1) introduces comprehensive rules on data governance, covering a range of areas, including e-invoicing, digital identities, e-payments, digital trade standards, paperless trade, and digital infrastructure connectivity; (2) addresses the protection of personal data in the online environment, the frameworks for electronic transactions, and the regulation of cross-border data flows; and (3) outlines plans for cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, AI and fintech and includes measures for the support of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the advancement of digital inclusion, and the strengthening of anti-online scam cooperation.

10 October 2024Data Privacy & ProtectionCybersecurityOnline Safety & Child Protection
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National Strategy

Stanford HAI engages ASEAN leaders in critical AI dialogue

The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (Stanford HAI) and digital ministry officials, technologists, and members of ASEAN have held a workshop at the ASEAN’s Committee on Science, Technology & Innovation (COSTI) Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology, and Innovation (MMSTI) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. During the workshop, ASEAN member state representatives discussed (1) their perspectives on AI and potential governance structures; (2) expanding access to computing power while mitigating the energy needs of AI systems, and (3) attracting international investment that can expand important infrastructure in the region, such as building new data centres. Initiatives or results following this workshop have yet to be revealed.

16 September 2024National Strategy
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National Strategy

ASEAN launches AI governance guide

ASEAN published its initial guide for AI governance following the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers' meeting in Singapore.

2 February 2024National Strategy
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Policy / Guidance

ASEAN digital ministers in Singapore to discuss scams, AI governance, cybersecurity

At the fourth ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting held in Singapore, digital ministers around the region will discuss, among other topics, the appropriate governance frameworks to establish a trusted environment in which the full potential of AI can be collectively harnessed.

1 February 2024SandboxData Privacy & ProtectionCybersecurity
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Policy / Guidance

ASEAN develops draft guide on AI ethics and governance

According to an exclusive report by Reuters, ASEAN has prepared a draft guide to AI ethics and governance. The draft is confidential, but it has been reported to include: (1) voluntary guidelines that guide domestic regulations on AI ethics and governance; (2) no "unacceptable risk" categories (or similar) that would prohibit certain AI technologies (unlike the EU AI Act); (3) advice on the risks of AI, but leaves it to member states to work out the best way to respond; (4) advice for companies to implement an AI risk assessment structure and AI governance training, but leaves specifics to companies and local regulators; (5) The draft is being circulated to technology companies for feedback. Expected to be finalised at the end of January 2024 during the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting.

12 October 2023Generative AI
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Other

ASEAN and China reinforce commitment to deepening comprehensive strategic partnership

ASEAN and China has reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during the 27th Meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (ACJCC) held at the ASEAN Secretariat. The meeting acknowledged the completion of the Plan of Action (POA) for 2021-2025 and the ongoing implementation of the POA for 2026-2030, which focuses on enhancing cooperation in areas such as transnational crime, science and technology, artificial intelligence (AI), agriculture and food security, tourism, education, public health, media, and disaster management. Both parties recognized 2026 as the ASEAN-China Year marking the fifth anniversary of the CSP, providing an opportunity to assess achievements and strengthen relations through various initiatives.

30 March 2026Trade & Investment
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Other

Japan and ASEAN agree to cooperate on AI development

Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to collaborate on developing new AI models and establishing related legal frameworks. This cooperation was formalized in a joint statement during a meeting of digital ministers from Japan and ASEAN member states in Hanoi, following a proposal by Japanese communications minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. The partnership aims to strengthen their position in the AI sector amid increasing influence from the US and China.

16 January 2026Generative AIData Privacy & Protection
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Other

China and ASEAN to deepen cooperation in AI, digital security

At the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam, China and ASEAN outlined a five-year roadmap to enhance digital collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital security, and the digital economy. Plans include establishing the China-ASEAN Digital Academy and the China-ASEAN AI Industry Innovation Center in 2026. Chinese Vice-Minister Zhang Yunming emphasized aligning China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan with the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030 to build an open and mutually beneficial digital ecosystem. ASEAN ministers expressed appreciation for China's support and a desire to strengthen practical digital cooperation to elevate the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership. The meeting adopted the China-ASEAN Plan on Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem Cooperation (2026-30) and the 2026 China-ASEAN Digital Cooperation Plan, focusing on policy dialogue, strategic alignment, digital infrastructure, and innovative applications of emerging digital technologies.

16 January 2026Cybersecurity
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Policy / Guidance✓ Official

China and ASEAN deepen cooperation in AI security, cross-border data governance

China and ASEAN have proposed to cooperation in digital governance through three main areas: enhancing cybersecurity by establishing efficient emergency response mechanisms and sharing threat information; collaborating on AI governance by implementing the Global AI Governance Initiative and fostering exchanges between AI entities; and facilitating cross-border data flows by improving policy transparency and developing compatible regulatory frameworks. These efforts aim to strengthen solidarity, build consensus, and enhance digital governance capacities, contributing to a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

4 December 2025CybersecurityData Privacy & ProtectionGenerative AI
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Other

ASEAN, Canada reaffirm commitment to advancing strategic partnership, covering AI

ASEAN and Canada have reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing ASEAN-Canada strategic partnership at the 22nd ASEAN-Canada Dialogue held in Vientiane, Laos. Among other matters, ASEAN and Canada look forward to the substantial conclusion of the negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and will continue to enhance cooperation across a broad range of strategic areas including cyber security and AI.

8 May 2025CybersecurityGenerative AI
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Policy / Guidance

Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics for Generative AI (2025):

This expanded guide supplements the existing ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (2024), which focuses on traditional AI technologies, with policy considerations related to generative AI. The expanded guide provides a view of the opportunities and risks of generative AI and recommends a range of policy recommendations for ASEAN to support its responsible adoption. In particular, the expanded guide highlights six key risks: (1) mistakes and anthropomorphism; (2) factual inaccuracies; (3) deepfakes; (4) IP infringements; (5) privacy and confidentiality; and (6) proportion of embedded biases. The expanded guide also provides ASEAN-specific use cases for generative AI from Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and ASEAN-wide.

Data Privacy & ProtectionGenerative AISafe & Responsible Ai
↗ Link available
Policy / Guidance

ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (2024):

A practical guide for organisations in ASEAN that wish to design, develop, and deploy traditional AI technologies in commercial and non-military or dual-use applications. This Guide focuses on encouraging alignment within ASEAN and fostering the interoperability of AI frameworks across jurisdictions. It also includes recommendations on national-level and regional-level initiatives that governments in the region can consider implementing to design, develop, and deploy AI systems responsibly.

Defense & Security
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