Malaysia Urges Asean Nations To Address Pressing Ethical Ai Challenges

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is calling on ASEAN countries to address pressing challenges related to ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI), data governance, and cybersecurity.

At a telecommunications gathering in Bangkok on Thursday, Malaysia's Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said that implementing a comprehensive framework for ethical AI and standardised data governance can foster trust and transparency within ASEAN, driving sustainable and inclusive growth.

“Strengthening our cybersecurity capabilities is crucial for safeguarding digital infrastructure and ensuring resilience against emerging threats," she said in her keynote address titled ‘Establishing a New Foundation for Southeast Asia's Digital Economy’ at the 2024 China Mobile Southeast Asia Cooperation Conference.

Teo is leading a Malaysian delegation to the conference in Thailand’s capital, which includes Digital National Bhd (DNB) chief strategy officer Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) member Derek John Fernandez.

She is currently on a two-day working visit to Bangkok, where she is also scheduled to visit Southeast Asia’s largest tech and startup hub, True Digital Park, and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission in Thailand to discuss anti scam efforts.

Teo stated that unregulated AI systems risk worsening social inequalities and privacy violations, while fragmented data regulations hinder seamless trade and innovation.

To truly capitalise on the benefits of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), she said ASEAN must address these pressing challenges to create a cohesive and dynamic digital landscape across the member states.

DEFA is designed to harmonise regulations on cross-border data flows, digital payments, and cybersecurity, while establishing robust ethical standards for artificial intelligence, she added.

"The ASEAN region stands at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation, with the potential to drive unprecedented economic growth through digital trade and commerce." 

Highlighting Malaysia's remarkable digital transformation, Teo noted that as of early 2024, 8.54 million out of the targeted nine million premises have been connected with fibre broadband, Internet coverage reaches 97.08 per cent of populated areas, and the median mobile broadband speed has risen to 91.15 Mbps.

"Furthermore, 81.7 per cent of populated areas are now covered by 5G networks. These achievements underscore our commitment to providing quality and inclusive telecommunication services to our citizens and driving our nation's digitalisation journey." 

The deputy minister said Malaysia is also committed to protecting personal data and has implemented several initiatives to address data leakage issues including amending the Personal Data Protection  Act 2010,  in line with current developments in technology and global personal data protection legislation.

-- BERNAMA