AI safety governance in Southeast Asia

Conversations around AI have long been dominated by countries like the United States and China due to their primacy as compute, talent, and financial hubs. The discourse on AI safety, broadly defined as the management of risks associated with AI, has similarly centered on these regions, despite the global implications of AI technologies. Yet Southeast Asia—home to over 700 million people, many of whom are young and digitally connected—is rapidly emerging as a powerful force in the global digital economy. As the region becomes increasingly digitized, Southeast Asia must be actively included in the global AI safety circles to ensure equitable and responsible development and deployment.

On August 28, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings and AI Safety Asia (AISA) held an online discussion about a new report examining the role of Southeast Asia in global AI governance. Panelists delved into how diverse and developing regions can draw from global best practices while tailoring solutions to their own realities.

Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing [email protected] or via X at @BrookingsGov by using #AISafetyAsia.