KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28: The Ministry of Digital welcomes the adoption of the Declaration on the Establishment of an ASEAN AI Safety Network (ASEAN AI Safe) at the 47th ASEAN Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
As one of Malaysia’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), Malaysia’s championing of the ASEAN AI Safe highlights the country’s leadership in setting a regional agenda on AI that balances promotion of AI innovation while safeguarding against emerging risks, a press release from MyDIGITAL Corporation said today.
Citing Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who in his address at the Opening
Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit, said that the region had a shared responsibility to ensure technology continues to serve humanity.
He noted that the establishment of the ASEAN AI Safety Network reflects ASEAN’s collective resolve to embed ethics, safety, and good governance in the use of artificial intelligence, ensuring that innovation drives inclusion, trust, and progress across the region.
The declaration came after an extensive feasibility study and consultation process with ASEAN
member states led by the Ministry of Digital, through the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial
Revolution (MYCentre4IR) hosted by MyDIGITAL Corporation, following the project’s endorsement
at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN, held in Bangkok, Thailand in January 2025.
Once formally operational, ASEAN AI Safe will serve as a regional mechanism to support the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADGSOM) and the ASEAN Working Group on AI Governance (WG-AI), to enhance regional capacity, foster collaboration, promote AI safety research and innovation efforts, and advance AI safety adoption.
ASEAN AI Safe will be guided by existing regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, the expanded guide AI governance and ethics for Generative AI, and the ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap (2025–2030).
It is also directly aligned with future frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030 and
the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), specifically to foster cooperation in
building safe and secure AI systems among ASEAN Member States.
Inclusive by design, ASEAN AI Safe will take on a collaborative approach, recognising the various
stages of maturity across ASEAN, to ensure that all ASEAN member states can participate and benefit from its programmes and activities.
External collaboration is also key with expected partnerships involving ASEAN Dialogue Partners, international organisations, industry leaders and academia for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and research and development initiatives.
These efforts to support and enhance ASEAN institutional readiness in adopting AI safely are
envisioned to be supported by a permanent Secretariat hosted by Malaysia.
Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo said: “Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the global
economy, and ASEAN must lead in ensuring that progress is guided not only by pursuit of
economic gains and innovation but also by strong ethical and safety practices.
“The ASEAN AI Safety Network marks a defining step forward, serving as a platform to translate our shared principles into concrete action. By championing this initiative, Malaysia is helping the region to
strengthen its collective capabilities, advance ethical governance frameworks, and foster a culture
of transparency and accountability in the use of AI.
“This collaboration ensures that as AI continues to evolve, it does so safely, responsibly, and inclusively, delivering innovation that protects people, empowers communities, and benefits every nation and citizen in our region.”
The establishment of the ASEAN AI Safe marks a key legacy of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship
2025, aligned with the theme “Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Future for All.” It reinforces the
Ministry of Digital’s commitment to fostering innovation grounded in trust, ethics and shared
prosperity, ensuring that ASEAN remains a region where technology serves humanity responsibly
and inclusively.
–WE