Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh, believes that through collective action, ASEAN nations can shape a digital environment that both upholds shared values and strengthens capabilities to meet future challenges, ensuring ASEAN has a credible and influential voice in global artificial intelligence (AI) governance.
He said that to ensure collective progress among ASEAN nations, we must establish robust trust frameworks and governance mechanisms so that AI systems remain safe, transparent, accountable, and interoperable as they cross borders.
“No single country can tackle this challenge alone. Given the interconnectedness within ASEAN, the impact of AI knows no borders, and should there be weaknesses in AI governance in any one ASEAN member, it could trigger a ripple effect across the entire community.
This is why trust must be embedded at the core of our regional frameworks—to establish unified security and ethical standards, protect our people, enhance our collective resilience, and foster thriving innovation in all member states.
To establish unified safety and ethical standards, to protect our people, to strengthen our collective resilience, and to ensure innovation flourishes in all member states.”
Gobind Singh delivered these remarks on Monday evening at the opening dinner of the “AI ASEAN Malaysia Summit 2025” (AAIMS2025), addressing invited ASEAN guests and attendees.
He emphasized that these efforts are crucial for safeguarding ASEAN’s future competitiveness. This is essential to ensure that, as AI continues to evolve to become more autonomous, complex, and deeply embedded into decision-making, our region retains control over its own destiny.
He pointed out that although the Summit to be held on Tuesday (12th) will discuss both opportunities and challenges of AI, tonight is about something more personal—our ASEAN camaraderie and the deep bonds that closely connect us.
“Before official policy debates and cooperation are established, let us take this moment to enjoy a joyful gathering in the spirit of friendship. It is well known that AI is no longer a distant concept or merely an emerging trend; it has already arrived, integrating into every aspect of our daily lives and reshaping the way we work, learn, and communicate.”
The Minister also expressed his gratitude to YTL Power for graciously sponsoring tonight’s opening dinner.