ASEAN published a guidebook on artificial intelligence in early February, titled AI Governance and Ethics. We publish an excerpt of it here
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the discipline that makes analytical machines intelligent, enabling an organization to function appropriately and forward-looking. Unlike other technologies, some forms of AI adapt itself, learning with use, so the decisions it makes today may be different from those it will make tomorrow. AI and automation are hot topics, both for their transformative potential and their ability to introduce new opportunities, disrupting old patterns. Southeast Asia is no exception. AI systems should be treated differently from other software systems because of their unique characteristics and risks. The capabilities of AI systems fueled by evolving techniques and discoveries are rapidly outpacing monitoring and validation tools. AI development is also decentralized due to low barriers to entry and the proliferation of open-source technologies. Given the profound impact AI can have on ASEAN organizations and individuals, it is important that decisions made by AI are aligned with national and corporate values, as well as broader ethical values. In this context, ASEAN Digital Ministers identified the Enabling Action that suggests the development and adoption of a regional policy to provide guidance for best practices on AI Governance and Ethics. In recent years, governments and international organizations have begun issuing principles, frameworks, and recommendations on AI ethics and governance. Examples include the Model AI Governance Framework1 and the OECD Council Recommendation on AI2. However, there is still no common intergovernmental standard for AI that defines the principles of AI governance and provides guidance for policy makers in AI. In the process of drafting this Guide, existing AI frameworks and guidelines, such as the UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics and the EU Ethical Guidelines for Trustworthy AI, were considered. The ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics aims to empower organizations and governments in the region to design, develop, and implement mainstream AI systems responsibly and to increase user confidence in AI.