AI is reshaping our world, influencing various sectors from finance, healthcare, retail, transport, manufacturing and agriculture – strategic industries that drive our economic and daily life. At its core, AI involves the development of computer systems that can replicate intelligent human behaviour. AI adoption in Asia is rapidly expanding with the market projected to reach USD 81.88 billion by 2024. According to a Reuters report, China leads the world in adopting generative AI and filing generative AI patents with over 38,000 between 2014 and 2023. Japan, South Korea and India are also investing heavily in AI across various sectors. The use of AI is expected to boost Southeast Asia’s GDP by up to USD 950 billion or 13% by 2030. In Europe, the EU is investing €4.4 billion in AI through the Next Generation EU (NGEU) initiative. Italy leads with €1.895 billion in AI investments, followed by Spain with €1.2 billion. By 2030, AI is expected to add over €11 trillion to the global economy.
AI also brings significant ethical and practical challenges. Asia and Europe have adopted different approaches to addressing concerns about privacy, job displacement and potential misuse, etc. The EU’s AI Act – the first-ever legal framework on AI – effective from 1 August 2024, introduces a comprehensive regulation based on risk levels, prioritising ethics, privacy, and transparency. ASEAN countries are adopting a business-friendly approach through the “ASEAN Guide on AI Ethics and Governance,” which focuses on voluntary guidelines and takes into account cultural differences. China uses administrative guidelines and is drafting a national AI law. Japan is considering regulation to address misinformation risks. Both sides are collaborating, including through joint research, best practice exchanges and policy dialogues, notably the multi-year EU-Japan AI project and Singapore-EU collaboration on AI and semiconductor research through the Horizon EU programme.
See also ASEF’s efforts at promoting understanding of AI through the launch of the Asia-Europe for Artificial Intelligence (AE4AI) Network in 2023 at the 4th ASEF Higher Education Innovation Laboratory (ASEFInnoLab4) and the 14th ASEF Journalists Seminar (ASEFJS14) on ‘AI and Digital Journalism – Opportunities and Challenges’, to provide young journalists from Asia and Europe insights into the latest AI developments in the field and the newsroom.
Sources:
14th ASEF Journalists Seminar | 9-12 September 2024 | Budapest, Hungary, ASEF.org
Albert J Rapha (21 May 2024), “Charting the future of Southeast Asian AI governance”, EastAsiaForum
Xu Changwen (25 March 2024), “Rise of Asian nations changes AI development landscape”, China Daily
It’s fantastic to see more information about Artificial Intelligence in ASEAN and the EU. Making this type of information accessible is crucial for driving innovation and collaboration across regions. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities this can unlock for businesses, governments, and tech enthusiasts alike!
Thank you, Christine, for your support! We truly appreciate your commitment to helping us share more information about AI. Your encouragement means a lot as we continue our mission to educate and inform others.
Great read and such a critical topic. NGOs like ASEF have a crucial role in spreading awareness about Artificial Intelligence. Their efforts in sharing accessible AI insights help bridge the knowledge gap, promote ethical use, and ensure that AI benefits everyone, particularly those in underserved communities.
We appreciate your kind words. We acknowledge the significance of this subject, and non-governmental organizations such as ASEF play a crucial role in promoting awareness of Artificial Intelligence. Through collaborative efforts, we can contribute to the advancement of comprehension and responsible use of AI technology.
Establishing clear guidelines and policies for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within a country is crucial. It’s beneficial that ASEF is making efforts to bridge the gaps in AI developments. I hope that in the future, our country, the Philippines, will develop an AI framework that can help prevent misuse of AI technologies, protect citizens’ privacy rights, and promote transparency in AI applications.
Great read! It’ll be very interesting to see how different regions will adopt AI culturally and ethically, as well as how AI can challenge different government regimes. Looking forward to reading more research on AI on a global scale, and whether such development would bridge or further widen digital gaps across communities.
Thank you, Spencer. Absolutely! The cultural and ethical dimensions of AI adoption are so fascinating to delve into. Each region will undoubtedly bring unique perspectives, which could lead to interesting innovations and challenges. It’s going to be really exciting to see how AI interacts with different government regimes, potentially reshaping governance and societal norms.
Its interesting this world of Ai ! I wast aware of this and now reading on the article really thought me a thing or two I didn’t know about! It made me almost use Ai tow rite this comment
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It’s great to hear that Merlini!We appreciate your support!