The ASEAN Foundation, supported by Google.org, successfully hosted the first Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready ASEAN at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb 12, 2025. The event marked a significant step in the AI Ready ASEAN initiative, aligning with Malaysia’s efforts to advance artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and innovation.
At the event, policymakers, AI practitioners, and local implementing partners (LIPs) from across ASEAN discussed regulatory frameworks and policy initiatives aimed at accelerating responsible AI adoption. The initiative supports Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap and focuses on closing the AI literacy gap in Southeast Asia. LIPs from Malaysia, including Universiti Teknologi Petronas’ ASEAN Student Association and Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah, are leading efforts to promote AI awareness and empower students, educators, and professionals.
Wong Soon Ping, a representative from Universiti Teknologi Petronas’ ASEAN Student Association, highlighted the importance of AI exposure for underserved communities, including rural populations and women, noting the new career pathways in tech industries such as robotics, data science, and automation.
The event also featured panel discussions on ASEAN’s AI landscape and the need for ethical frameworks. Marija Ralic, Google.org Lead, emphasised the importance of educating young people and educators about AI’s potential to shape their futures.
The meeting contributed to the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, both of which aim to build an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. It also aligns with the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, which promotes fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI adoption.
Despite the positive momentum, challenges remain in achieving equitable AI adoption across the region. While countries like Singapore and Malaysia are making progress in AI literacy, underserved communities in countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar still face barriers such as poor internet connectivity and limited access to digital literacy programmes.
The AI Ready ASEAN programme, launched in October 2024, aims to equip 5.5 million individuals with essential AI skills over the next 2.5 years, supported by a USD 5 million grant from Google.org. The convention also included hands-on masterclasses and a visit to Google Indonesia’s office, offering participants deeper insights into AI applications and machine learning.
The AI Ready ASEAN initiative is a critical step in democratising AI across Southeast Asia, fostering collaboration, and ensuring no one is left behind as the region embraces AI’s transformative potential.
