KUALA LUMPUR, 28 October 2025 — The Ministry of Digital welcomes the adoption of the Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN AI Safety Network (ASEAN AI Safe) at the 47th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
As one of Malaysia’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), the establishment of ASEAN AI Safe underscores Malaysia’s leadership in shaping a regional AI agenda that promotes innovation while safeguarding against emerging risks.
In his address at the Opening Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted ASEAN’s shared responsibility to ensure that technology continues to serve humanity. He noted that the formation of ASEAN AI Safe reflects the region’s collective commitment to embedding ethics, safety, and good governance in the use of artificial intelligence, ensuring that innovation drives inclusion, trust, and progress across ASEAN.
The declaration follows an extensive feasibility study and consultation process led by the Ministry of Digital, through the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) hosted by MyDIGITAL Corporation, following the project’s endorsement at the 5th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) held in Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2025.
Once operational, ASEAN AI Safe will serve as a regional mechanism supporting the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADGSOM) and the ASEAN Working Group on AI Governance (WG-AI). Its mandate includes strengthening regional capacity, promoting AI safety research and innovation, facilitating cross-border collaboration, and advancing the adoption of safe and responsible AI practices across the region.
ASEAN AI Safe will be guided by existing regional frameworks, including the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025, the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, the expanded Guide on AI Governance and Ethics for Generative AI, and the ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap (2025–2030). It also aligns with upcoming frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030 and the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), specifically fostering cooperation in building safe and secure AI systems among ASEAN Member States.
Designed to be inclusive by nature, ASEAN AI Safe will adopt a collaborative approach that recognises the varying levels of AI maturity across ASEAN. This ensures that all member states can meaningfully participate and benefit from its programmes. External partnerships will also play a key role, involving ASEAN Dialogue Partners, international organisations, academia, and industry leaders in capacity-building, research, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
These efforts to enhance ASEAN’s institutional readiness for AI adoption will be supported by a permanent Secretariat hosted by Malaysia.
Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo said,
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy, and ASEAN must lead in ensuring that this progress is guided not only by innovation and economic ambition but also by strong ethical and safety practices. The ASEAN AI Safety Network marks a defining step forward, translating shared principles into concrete action.
“By championing this initiative, Malaysia is helping the region strengthen its collective capabilities, advance governance frameworks, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability. This ensures that as AI evolves, it does so safely, responsibly, and inclusively, delivering innovation that protects people, empowers communities, and benefits every nation and citizen in our region.”
ASEAN AI Safe was also highlighted at the “Powering the Intelligent Age: Driving Innovation with Southeast Asia and Beyond” Summit, jointly organised by the Ministry of Digital, MYCentre4IR, and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Held at Sasana Kijang, the event brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to strengthen regional collaboration on digital transformation and energy transition.
The establishment of ASEAN AI Safe represents a key legacy of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, aligned with the theme “Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Future for All.” It reinforces the Ministry of Digital’s commitment to fostering innovation grounded in trust, ethics, and shared prosperity, ensuring that ASEAN remains a region where technology serves humanity responsibly and inclusively.
