KUALA LUMPUR, 8 October 2025 — The Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) are co-hosting the Powering the Intelligent Age: Driving Innovation with Southeast Asia and Beyond Summit on 28 October 2025 at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur.
Marking a significant event under the ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, the Summit will gather policymakers, business leaders, technologists, and academics. They will focus on defining how the region can navigate the Intelligent Age through common rules, scalable pilot projects, and cross-border partnerships.
Focus on AI Governance, Clean Industry, and Inclusive Growth
Innovation will be a core theme, acting as a catalyst for growth and collaboration across Southeast Asia and globally. The discussions will specifically focus on advancing shared frameworks for AI governance, clean industrial pathways, and inclusive digital growth.
This focus is intended to ensure the region not only adapts to the Intelligent Age but also takes a leading role in setting global standards for innovation and cooperation. The programme is designed to progress from high-level strategic perspectives to concrete, practical initiatives, offering both policy direction and implementation pathways.
Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, emphasised Malaysia’s commitment:
“Malaysia is proud to advance with our fellow ASEAN nations into the Intelligent Age. Our partnership and joint efforts go beyond technology implementation; we are instead focused on shaping an inclusive and resilient future for the people of ASEAN.
“Together, through focused efforts on AI governance, clean industry, and energy transition, we are ensuring that innovation uplifts every community and positions our region as a global leader.”
Shaping the Intelligent Age
The Intelligent Age signifies a shift beyond the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where AI and converging technologies are rapidly reshaping societies, economies, and industries. With adoption accelerating and risks already apparent, ASEAN is positioning itself to convene efforts that ensure innovation drives inclusive growth, trusted governance, and sustainable energy transition.
MYCentre4IR’s partnership with the WEF and its integration into the global 4IR network will help Malaysia align its digital and energy initiatives with international best practices and frameworks, broadening ASEAN’s efforts in these crucial areas.
Key Initiatives and Participants
The Summit will feature a strong line-up, including Opening Remarks by Gobind, followed by a Keynote Address from the ASEAN Secretariat. The Minister will also participate in the Leaders Dialogue: Malaysia’s AI Ambitions, moderated by Cathy Li, Head of the Centre for AI Excellence, WEF.
Key regional initiatives will also be highlighted:
- ASEAN AI Safety Network (ASEAN AI SAFE): Spearheaded by Malaysia, this regional platform will institutionalise AI governance and ethics, aligning with the ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap (2025–2030). It aims to harmonise safety policies, promote responsible adoption, and foster collaboration. A formal declaration is expected at the 47th ASEAN Leaders Summit in October 2025, ahead of its 2026 operational launch.
- The Sustainable AI White Paper.
- Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative: This will make its official debut at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026, marking Sarawak’s entry onto the global stage.
Discussions will also cover industrial transformation, digitalisation and ESG, resilient ecosystems, and regional energy cooperation, including the ASEAN Power Grid and nuclear readiness.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum, commented:
“The Intelligent Age will be defined not only by the technologies we create, but by the responsibility we share in how they are applied. The World Economic Forum, through its 4IR Network, is proud to support ASEAN in bringing together government, industry, and academia to shape trusted AI governance and drive industrial transformation that benefits all.”
The Summit is set to translate principles into action, showcasing how Malaysia and ASEAN can pioneer AI governance, clean industry transitions, and inclusive digital ecosystems, strengthening the region’s competitiveness and contributing to shaping global standards.
