MALAYSIA CHAMPIONS THE ASEAN AI SAFETY NETWORK TO ADVANCE AI SAFETY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 October 2025 – 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. 

Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, emphasised during his address at the Opening Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit, that the region’s 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. 

YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital 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.” 

ASEAN AI Safe was also highlighted at the Powering the Intelligent Age: Driving Innovation with Southeast Asia and Beyond Summit, jointly organised by the Ministry of Digital through MYCentre4IR and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Held at Sasana Kijang, the summit brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to strengthen regional collaboration on digital transformation and energy transition.  

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.