ASEAN Working Group on AI Governance (WG-AI)

About the ASEAN Working Group on AI Governance (WG-AI)

Spearheading the region's approach to AI, the WG-AI was established in March 2024 at the 1st ADGSOM-ATRC Leaders' Retreat in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Its core mission was significantly expanded in January 2025 at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) to lead and coordinate all vital Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives in ASEAN as the world navigates the technology's complexities and opportunities.

Chaired by Singapore's IMDA, the WG-AI is the driving force behind ASEAN's AI agenda. The group empowers ADGSOM as the leading body for strategic coordination and expert advice on all AI matters in the region, with a comprehensive mandate that includes shaping regional frameworks, leading regional discussions on AI governance, policy development, safety, standards and regulation, and fostering a vibrant AI ecosystem across Southeast Asia. The WG-AI follows a key regional recommendation from the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (2024), a guide whose development was also led by IMDA.

Framework and Assessment Development
Creates regional frameworks, principles, standards, and best practices.

Develops industry-specific assessments for trustworthy AI adoption, particularly in digital economy sectors.

Establishes implementation roadmaps for accountability and effective execution.
Knowledge Exchange and Research
Facilitates information sharing e.g., on AI talent and capacity building.

Conducts joint research and studies e.g., on AI use cases and their impact on ASEAN livelihoods.

Monitors new developments in AI and emerging technologies.
Capacity Building and Engagement
Organises workshops, forums, and expert meetings to assist AMS in developing their AI capabilities.

Engages with ADGSOM Dialogue and Development Partners as well as other relevant stakeholders, such as ASEAN Foundation and UNESCO.

The WG-AI actively engages diverse stakeholders to advance both ASEAN's AI cooperation and its AI governance agenda. Partners include:

ADGSOM Dialogue and Development Partners: Key international collaborators such as the United States, China and the EU.
Industry Stakeholders: Leading technology companies like Microsoft and Google.
Academia and Civil Society: Organisations such as the ASEAN Foundation and UNESCO.

WG-AI's Projects

The WG-AI champions the region's commitment to responsible AI through the development and launch of foundational guides.

Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics – Generative AI

Unveiled Jan 17, 2025, the Expanded ASEAN Guide on AI Governance & Ethics – Generative AI (Expanded Guide) is a key step for the region. Developed by WG-AI, it supplements the 2024 ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, focusing on Gen AI policy.

Learn more

The WG-AI led the development of the Expanded Guide to supplement and support the foundational ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (2024), specifically addressing policy considerations for Generative AI (Gen AI).

Why is this important?

Gen AI represents a leap forward in AI capabilities and an enormous economic and social opportunity for ASEAN member states. However, it also raises challenges that policymakers should address. The Expanded Guide, a critical step in AI governance, provides guidance on addressing the six Gen AI risks identified in the ASEAN AI Guide (2024) and explores frontier and systemic risks posed by the development of highly advanced Gen AI models.

These risks are key considerations in defining the Expanded Guide’s policy recommendations for ASEAN to consider in promoting the trusted and responsible use of Gen AI. The recommendations emphasise the importance of promoting the numerous benefits of Gen AI alongside thoughtful, proportional, and regionally interoperable measures that ensure its safety.

ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics

A regional first, the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics (ASEAN AI Guide) was launched at the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Singapore on 2 February 2024. Led by Singapore, this guide was developed through extensive consultations with ASEAN Member States, ADGSOM Dialogue and Development Partners, and key industry partners.

Learn more

Why is the ASEAN AI Guide vital?

As one of the world’s first regional AI governance frameworks, it sets the standard for responsible AI. The Guide:

Defines core principles for AI governance.
Provides practical guidance for policymakers to design, develop, and deploy traditional AI systems responsibly.
Aims to increase user trust in AI technologies across the region.

Ultimately, the ASEAN AI Guide focuses on encouraging alignment within ASEAN and fostering the interoperability of AI frameworks across different jurisdictions. This unified approach is crucial for ASEAN to fully leverage the transformative power of AI while ensuring its safe and ethical deployment.

Driving ASEAN's AI Agenda Through Key Events

The WG-AI actively organises significant events to advance the region's AI agenda, fostering collaboration and sharing crucial insights. Prime examples include the convening of the Microsoft AI Seminar: The New AI Economy – Pioneering ASEAN’s Digital Future and the 4th WG-AI Meeting held in Singapore from 16 to 17 June 2025, and the AI Policy Leaders Executive Education Programme (held in conjunction with Google and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy) and the 5th WG-AI Meeting held in Singapore from 10 to 12 September 2025.