Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technological frontier for Asia Pacific, it is becoming a matter of strategic and governance terrain. Over the past months,the AI Asia Pacific Institute (AIAPI) has been actively engaging in pivotal dialogues and forums across Malaysia, Korea, and Thailand.
These engagements, from national AI strategy to workforce safety and institutional readiness , highlight a critical shift: Asia Pacific is no longer passively reacting to AI developments; it is actively shaping them.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration on AI Safety Across ASEAN
AIAPI took part in a consultative workshop for the ASEAN AI Safety Network feasibility study that was held on 5–6 August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bringing together 77 participants from across ASEAN Member States, Dialogue and Development Partners, international organisations, and industry stakeholders.
The workshop focused on three key areas:
- Validating the operational model of the ASEAN AI Safety Network to support regional capacity building, knowledge sharing, and policy implementation.
- Identifying capacity-building needs across AMS through scenario-based exercises and technical discussions.
- Shaping ASEAN’s international strategy on AI safety to ensure the region’s collective voice is represented in global governance forums.
Partners such as the Japan AI Safety Institute, ROK AI Safety Institute, Standards Australia, World Bank, St. Gallen Endowment, and ERIA shared practical models for cooperation, including multilingual safety tools, standards alignment, training programmes, and policy toolkits. These contributions highlighted strong momentum to co-develop tools and initiatives tailored to ASEAN’s unique context.
The workshop concluded with broad support for establishing the ASEAN AI Safety Network as a practical, regionally anchored mechanism for advancing AI safety. Next steps include refining the Network’s operational model, mobilising resources, and strengthening partnerships.
AIAPI was proud to be part of this milestone event and looks forward to supporting the growing ASEAN AI safety ecosystem through strategic engagement, capacity building, and international collaboration.
APEC TEL71 in Korea: Workforce Safety, Trust & Governance
In Korea, Kelly participated in APEC TEL71, where AI workforce safety and governance took center stage. This engagement underscored how workforce readiness is inseparable from workforce protection in the age of AI. Kelly took part in discussions on workforce AI capabilities geared towards the digital economy and AI Safety and trust building.
The discussion moved beyond jobs gained or lost, to the conditions of work itself including algorithmic bias, surveillance, trust, and accountability.
Key themes from Korea included:
- Broadening workforce safety — AI’s impact isn’t just economic; it’s also psychological, cultural, and structural.
- Embedding ethical guardrails early — Safety must be part of design, not a late-stage fix.
- Balancing innovation with trust — Responsible AI adoption requires confidence from workers, not just companies.
This conversation matters not only for APEC economies but for all regions undergoing rapid technological transformation. Building AI trust at the workforce level is foundational to sustainable growth.
Conclusion
From Malaysia’s AI initiatives to Korea’s workforce safety discussions and Bangkok’s hands-on institutional adoption, a clear signal is emerging:
Asia Pacific is not waiting for the future of AI to be defined elsewhere.
By shaping governance, strengthening trust, and building capacity, the region is carving out its own AI narrative, with key priorities being inclusivity, security, and being locally grounded.
