As ASEAN develops its AI and digital transformation agendas, conversations around AI governance are shifting from high-level principles to implementation. That was the focus of a recent OpenNexus forum moderated by Kelly Forbes, AI Asia Pacific Institute on Promoting EU ICT Standards Adoption in ASEAN under the InDiCo-Global initiative.
The panel featured:
- Sharmini Johnson, Senior Manager, AI Governance, Infocomm Media Development Authority
- Henry Wang, Co-founder, Singapore Internet Governance Forum
- Sigit Jarot, ICT standardisation expert, GIST Project
The discussion explored how ASEAN regulators, standards bodies, and industry can engage with the technical standards underpinning the EU AI Act; particularly around harmonised standards, conformity assessments, and cross-border digital requirements.
A key theme throughout the panel is AI governance increasingly becoming a standards issue. While ASEAN already has strong governance initiatives; including the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and the Discussion Paper on the Responsible Development and Adoption of Generative AI prepared by the Institute, the challenge now lies in translating principles like transparency, accountability, and human oversight into technical specifications and operational requirements.
The panel highlighted that ASEAN stakeholders are likely to encounter EU AI standards sooner than expected through exports, procurement requirements, investment channels, and global supply chains. This makes capacity building and early engagement increasingly important. Speakers emphasised the importance of meaningful participation, regional interoperability, and selective alignment that reflects ASEAN’s own regulatory priorities and digital maturity.
