ASEAN, China working to build inclusive AI future

Transparency, accountability guardrails for AI

By Myo Thein Kyaw

The theme of the meeting, "collaborating on AI governance, co-creating a secure future" is both timely and relevant in this current context. As AI advances at an unprecedented pace, it offers numerous benefits to humanity but also significant risks and challenges. To ensure a secure and reliable future, we must establish regulations, policies, and standards that ensure the safe and equitable use of AI for all humanity.

Key principles must include accountability for the adverse impact caused by AI, transparency in AI systems' decision-making processes, fairness in AI training data to avoid racial, gender, and other forms of discrimination or bias, and privacy protection to prevent misuse of data.

Since AI is not confined to a single nation or company but exerts a global influence, fostering international cooperation to formulate AI policy is crucial. Multi-stakeholder partnerships involving government, tech companies, researchers, and civil society organizations are essential.

ASEAN and China should work together to shape a good and trustworthy AI future, cooperating closely to defend against AI-driven cyberattacks, prevent social conflict fueled by AI-generated fake news and misinformation and ensure that AI is used as a tool to enhance human potential rather than replace or harm it. Ensuring security and controllability of AI requires robust governance frameworks, transparency, accountability and fostering international cooperation as well as implementing effective risk assessment and mitigation strategies to prevent misuse, protect data and maintain human oversight, thereby ensuring that AI technologies remain safe, reliable, and aligned with shared ethical standards.

AI can serve as a bridge for cultural exchange and foster mutual understanding between different countries and civilizations, particularly China and ASEAN countries. AI technologies increasingly influence communication, education and cultural preservation, offering new opportunities for cross-border collaboration and learning. AI-powered translation tools can break down language barriers, enabling real-time communication and access to diverse cultural content.

AI-driven translation applications enable collaborations on projects, sharing of literature and participation in joint events without language constraints. Virtual museums or AI-created online exhibitions can showcase the rich heritage of ASEAN countries and China, allowing people from different backgrounds to explore and appreciate each other's cultural traditions.

Promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning through AI strengthens regional ties, reduces misunderstandings and builds a foundation for peaceful cooperation. Myanmar actively harnesses AI across sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture. The country is committed to working with China, ASEAN members and other international partners for fruitful results and inclusive AI development.

We need to foster partnerships among countries for sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices in AI research, infrastructure and policymaking. This can be achieved through joint research initiatives, harmonized regulatory frameworks and cross-border pilot projects that address shared challenges.

Focusing on regional cooperation mechanisms and the principles of inclusivity ensures that the benefits of AI are accessible to all segments of society, including marginalized and less developed communities.

This requires targeted capacity-building programs, equitable access to AI education and technology, and policies that address the digital divide. By prioritizing both cooperation and inclusivity, regional partners can ensure that AI drives sustainable growth and benefits everyone in the region.

The author is the union minister for Science and Technology, Myanmar. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.