June 6, 2024
Phnom Penh – On the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Ministers of Science, Technology and Innovation Meeting (AMMSTI-20), leaders and experts gathered to discuss the adoption of human-centric AI in the ASEAN region.
The event, held in Siem Reap on June 3, was organized by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), the Asia Foundation and the Stanford University AI Institute, and aimed to develop policies that would benefit all member states and minimize the risks of AI.
Presiding over the event, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and ASEAN COSTI Chair Hul Sein Hen highlighted the need for ethical frameworks, data privacy, equality, fairness and workforce reskilling.
“We need to agree on the importance of responsible development, including building strong ethical frameworks to address bias, ensure data privacy and support fairness within AI algorithms. Moreover, we need to equip our workforce with the skills it needs to adapt to this changing environment, which also requires investing in reskilling initiatives,” Seinhen said.
The event featured two sessions. The morning session featured experts and representatives from various organizations, including ASEAN member states, ASEAN-US Science and Technology Fellows, UNESCO, Asia Foundation, and the ASEAN-US Delegation, while the afternoon session featured policymakers, educators, students, government officials, and other stakeholders. Discussions covered AI technologies and challenges, policies and governance for responsible AI, fairness and trust, data privacy, and global AI governance.
Mr Seinhen stressed the importance of investing in AI research, technology transfer and regional cooperation to promote innovation and economic benefits for ASEAN countries, as well as the importance of partnerships and open science practices to share new research findings.
ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh highlighted the important role that AI will play for ASEAN's future, noting that the region has more than 418 million internet users and a fast-growing digital economy.
“Last year, leaders of ASEAN member states launched the world's first regional digital agreement, called DEFA, which will be legally enforceable and address new technologies including AI,” he said.
He also praised Cambodia's rapid digital adoption and strategic efforts in digital governance and Industry 4.0.
Thomas Parks, vice president of strategic partnerships at the Asia Foundation, urged ASEAN to take the lead in AI adoption, acknowledging the region's challenges but highlighting advantages such as a young, well-connected population.
“The Asia Foundation and Stanford HAI collaboration aims to help stakeholders in the region harness the benefits and mitigate the risks of AI. A human-centered approach to AI development is critical for ASEAN,” Parks said.
Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab, emphasized the importance of public policy to ensure AI serves the benefit of everyone.
“AI is both a technological and a social phenomenon. Public policies are essential to ensure that AI serves the benefit of all,” he said.
The event concluded with a panel discussion on the societal challenges of AI and the need for strengthened cooperation and intergovernmental structures to empower Member States. The discussion highlighted the importance of an AI strategy and the need to take into account the impact of AI on children.
