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The ASEAN Foundation, with support from Google.org, hosted the inaugural Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready ASEAN at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on 12 February 2025. This event marked a key milestone in advancing AI literacy and innovation across ASEAN, aligning with Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap.

Policymakers, AI practitioners, and local implementing partners (LIPs) discussed regulatory frameworks and strategies to bridge AI literacy gaps and accelerate responsible adoption. Malaysia’s LIPs, Universiti Teknologi Petronas’ ASEAN Student Association and Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah, are driving AI awareness campaigns, training, and policy discussions to equip students, educators, and professionals with AI skills.

Wong Soon Ping of Universiti Teknologi Petronas highlighted AI’s transformative impact on underserved communities, opening pathways in tech industries and enhancing education. Google.org Lead Marija Ralic emphasized the importance of AI literacy in shaping future opportunities.

Discussions explored ASEAN’s AI landscape, ethical frameworks, and digital inclusion strategies. In Malaysia, initiatives like AI untuk Rakyat and Cikgu Juara Digital promote AI literacy, while the Ministry of Education supports Hour of Code to introduce students to coding and AI concepts.

The convening supports ASEAN’s Digital Masterplan 2025 and Digital Economy Framework Agreement, promoting inclusive AI adoption. Despite rapid growth, AI readiness varies across ASEAN—Singapore leads the region, while Malaysia ranks second in ASEAN and 24th globally in the Government AI Readiness 2024 Index.

The AI Ready ASEAN initiative, launched in October 2024 with a USD 5 million Google.org grant, aims to equip 5.5 million individuals with AI skills. The two-day event included a masterclass by Code.org and a visit to Google Indonesia’s office for insights into real-world AI applications.

Key attendees included Prof. Stella Christie, Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of Indonesia; Nararya S. Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN; and Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation.

This policy convening is a crucial step in democratising AI across ASEAN, fostering collaboration, and driving inclusive digital transformation.

Source: https://sme.asia/ai-ready-asean-shaping-southeast-asias-ai-future/