TLDR: The ASEAN AI Safety Network (AI Safe) is slated for adoption by leaders at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025. This initiative aims to institutionalize AI safety, ethics, and governance principles across the region, aligning with global efforts for responsible AI development. The network is expected to be formally established by early 2026, with AI projected to contribute significantly to ASEAN’s GDP by 2030.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is poised to take a significant step towards responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development with the targeted adoption of the ASEAN AI Safety Network (AI Safe) by its leaders at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025. This declaration marks a crucial move to institutionalize AI safety, ethics, and governance principles, building upon the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ endorsements and supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap. The formal establishment of the network is anticipated by early 2026.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that the establishment of AI Safe resonates with global calls for an international collaborative network to address AI safety risks, fostering cooperation among governments, academia, and industry. He highlighted that this initiative underscores ASEAN’s commitment to responsible AI development, ensuring that AI serves as a driver of peace, prosperity, and progress.
The announcement was made during the ASEAN Artificial Intelligence (AI) Malaysia Summit 2025, where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched ‘ILMU’, a Malaysian home-grown AI developed by YTL AI Labs in partnership with Universiti Malaya. Dr. Kao noted that despite ongoing global trade volatility and uncertainty, AI is experiencing transformative growth, reshaping economies, societies, and daily lives. The inaugural ASEAN AI Summit provided a timely platform to deepen regional cooperation and build strategic trust around a shared vision for innovation and inclusive digital transformation.
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Economically, AI is projected to contribute between 10 to 18 percent to ASEAN’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, an amount equivalent to nearly US$1 trillion. Furthermore, ASEAN is prioritizing the ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) this year, which aims to bolster the regional digital ecosystem and could potentially double its projection to US$2 trillion by 2030. These efforts follow previous regional commitments, including the adoption of the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics in February 2024, and the approval of the Expanded ASEAN AI Guide and the ASEAN Responsible AI Roadmap in January 2025, providing member states with practical tools for responsible AI practices.
