Phnom Penh (FN), Jun. 5 – On the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20), leaders and experts gathered to discuss human-centred AI adoption in the ASEAN region.

The event, held in Siem Reap on June 3, was organised by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the ASEAN Committee on Science, Teachnology and Innovation (COSTI), The Asia Foundation and Stanford's AI Institute, with the goal of crafting policies that benefit all members and minimise AI risks.

Presiding over the event, Hul Seingheng, undersecretary of state at the industry ministry and chair of ASEAN COSTI, emphasised the need for ethical frameworks, data privacy, equality, fairness and workforce reskilling.

“We need to agree on the importance of responsible development, which includes setting up strong ethical frameworks to deal with bias, ensure data privacy, and support fairness within AI algorithms. Moreover, we must equip the workforce with the skills necessary to adapt to this changing environment, which involves investing in reskilling initiatives,” Seingheng said.

The event featured two sessions: the morning session for experts and representatives from various organisations, including ASEAN member states, ASEAN-US Science and Technology fellows, UNESCO, The Asia Foundation and the ASEAN-US delegation; and the afternoon session for policymakers, educators, students, government officials and other stakeholders. The discussions covered AI technologies and challenges, policy and governance for responsible AI, fairness and trust, data privacy and global AI governance.

Seingheng highlighted the importance of investing in AI research, technology transfer and regional cooperation to drive innovation and economic benefits for ASEAN countries. He stressed the significance of partnerships and open science practices to share new research findings.

Satvinder Singh, deputy secretary-general of ASEAN, emphasised the critical role of AI for bloc's future. He noted that it has over 418 million internet users and a booming digital economy.

“Last year, the leaders from ASEAN member states initiated the world's first regional digital pact, called DEFA, which will be legally enforceable and address new technologies, including AI,” he said.

He also praised Cambodia for its rapid digital adoption and strategic initiatives in digital governance and Industry 4.0.

Thomas Parks, vice president of strategic partnerships at The Asia Foundation, urged ASEAN to lead in AI adoption, acknowledging the region's challenges but highlighting its advantages, such as a youthful and connected population.

“The collaboration between The Asia Foundation and Stanford HAI seeks to help stakeholders in the region use AI's benefits and reduce its risks. A human-centred approach to AI development is crucial for ASEAN,” said Parks.

Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab, emphasised the importance of public policy in ensuring AI serves everyone's interests.

“AI is both a technological and a social phenomenon. Public policy is essential to make sure AI serves everyone's interests,” he said.

The event concluded with a panel discussion on the societal challenges of AI and the need for increased cooperation and inter-governmental structures to empower member states. The discussions underscored the importance of AI strategies and the need to consider the impact of AI on children.

This article was first published on The Phnom Penh Post.
=FRESH NEWS