Southeast Asia Reportedly Eyeing 'Softer' AI Regulation Than the EU

Southeast Asian countries have reportedly drafted a "guide" to AI ethics and governance that is business-friendly and does not align with the European Union's "AI Act."

Citing three sources, Reuters reported that the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has sent the draft to various technology companies for feedback. Meta, IBM, and Google are reportedly among these companies. The draft's finalization is expected in January 2024 during the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting.

According to Reuters, ministers from the 10 member states of ASEAN agreed in February to develop an "AI guide" for some 668 million people in the region, but details of the discussions have not been reported.

The "AI guide" aims to "balance the economic benefits of the technology with its many risks." The guide is said to be created as a warning of the dangers of AI being used for disinformation, "deepfakes," and impersonation, but it remains government-sensitive and specific, allowing nations to determine how best to respond.

ASEAN On Developing the 'AI Guide'

Singapore has supported the ASEAN guide on AI governance and ethics. A spokesman for the country's Ministry for Communications and Information told Reuters that as chair of the 2024 meeting, the government would be collaborating with other ASEAN states "to develop an 'ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics' that will serve as a practical and implementable step to support the trusted deployment of responsible and innovative AI technologies in ASEAN."

The other ASEAN countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

ASEAN's 'AI Guide' vs. EU's 'AI Act'

ASEAN's "AI guide" is seen as a major blow to the EU's global aspirations of AI governance through its "AI Act," which has stricter provisions. Reuters reported that the EU has found it difficult to get worldwide agreement with these tighter proposed regulations.

These new AI rules for tech firms reportedly include disclosure of copyrighted and AI-generated content. EU's "AI Act" is still being deliberated. In contrast, the ASEAN's "AI guide" is reportedly more lax than the EU's " AI act" as it is voluntary.

It reportedly does not prescribe unacceptable risk categories and is only meant to guide domestic regulations. Since it limits the compliance burden with a relatively hands-off approach, technology executives noted that the "AI guide" is more business-friendly.

The ASEAN "AI guide" reportedly asks companies to consider countries' cultural differences. It also advises companies to implement an AI risk assessment structure and AI governance training but leaves specifics to firms and local regulators.

It also warned about the risks of AI being used for misinformation and "deepfakes," but it leaves it to each country to determine the best response. The EU has previously discussed with various Asian countries about the "AI Act" in hopes of making it a global standard.

However, the preference of ASEAN to allow its member states to make their own policy puts these countries on a distinctly different track from the EU.