Singapore will make boosting artificial intelligence adoption across Southeast Asia a central plank of its 2027 ASEAN chairmanship, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said at the Asia Economic Summit in Jakarta on June 17.
Speaking at the summit, Teo said Singapore would build on efforts by the Philippines, the current ASEAN chair, to encourage greater AI adoption among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, workers and governments across the region.
"Next year, Singapore will assume the ASEAN chair. We will bring more SMEs, workers and governments together to use AI better," she said.
Teo cautioned against what she described as a narrow interpretation of "AI sovereignty," arguing that it would be unrealistic for most countries to seek ownership of every layer of the AI ecosystem, from chips and models to data and applications. She said countries should instead focus on governing AI effectively, making their own choices about technology partners and building strong domestic AI ecosystems.
Singapore will invest more in shared digital resources for the region, including language models, governance toolkits and programmes aimed at building AI capabilities, Teo added.
She pointed to SEA-LION (Southeast Asian Languages in One Network), an open-source large language model developed in Singapore and trained on regional languages. The model has been downloaded more than 200,000 times and is used by companies across the region to build AI applications.
ASEAN is well positioned to expand AI adoption, according to Teo, who cited the region's growing digital infrastructure, a digitally connected population, and increasing efforts by governments and businesses to equip workers with AI-related skills. Southeast Asia's digital economy is expected to surpass US$300 billion, driven by growth in e-commerce and AI adoption, according to a joint report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company.
Teo emphasised the importance of policies that support cross-border data flows, describing data as the "lifeblood" of AI. While restrictions may be necessary to protect personal information and national security, overly burdensome rules can hinder innovation and make it harder for smaller firms to expand, she said.
"Collectively, we should help these small companies to thrive and to scale, whether they are in Jakarta, Bandung, Hanoi, or Bangkok," Teo said.
She pointed to the proposed Digital Economy Framework Agreement, an ASEAN initiative aimed at establishing common rules for digital trade and supporting trusted cross-border data flows. The pact is expected to be signed later in 2026 after negotiations concluded in May.
During a panel discussion with Indonesian Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, both ministers said common digital trade rules would make it easier for companies to operate and invest across ASEAN's 11 member states. Meutya said technology companies face the challenge of navigating different regulations across the region, and a common framework would help attract long-term investment.
Looking ahead to Singapore's ASEAN chairmanship, Teo said the country would work to deepen cross-border data flow mechanisms and align AI governance approaches across the region. She cited Indonesia's national motto of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," or unity in diversity, as embodying the principle that ASEAN can achieve more if its members move forward together.
The extent to which ASEAN members can harmonise AI governance frameworks remains a key question, as countries in the region are at different stages of digital development and have varying regulatory approaches to data and technology.
Sources: The Straits Times, The Business Times, The Star
