ASEAN, China working to build inclusive AI future

AI a new bridge among civilizations

By Sok Puthyvuth

How can AI promote cultural exchange and mutual learning among the diverse civilizations in China and ASEAN countries?

Our region is rich in cultures, languages and traditions. For centuries, societies have connected through trade, education and cultural exchange. AI offers new opportunities to strengthen these connections not by making cultures the same, but by helping people better understand and appreciate the differences.

AI can bring people closer by helping overcome language barriers. Language is central to cultural identity. The ASEAN region is home to over 700 million people and more than 1,200 regional languages. But advances in AI-powered translation and natural language understanding are transforming communication and access to knowledge. The ASEAN natural language understanding market is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2029, reflecting massive investments in localized AI.

For Cambodia, it is not just an aspiration, but also a national priority to build a digital infrastructure in the Khmer language. Tools such as TranslateKH bridge linguistic divides, while AI assistants transform text into natural Khmer speech, making digital content accessible to all.

Meanwhile, we need to develop large language models that are accurate in both the source language and the target language. By actively building a localized Khmer large language model, AI can understand cultural nuances, moving beyond simple translation to a deeper understanding of the history and perspectives.

Besides, AI can help preserve, share and learn from cultural heritage across China and ASEAN. Cambodia's wealth of historical documents, literature and traditional art benefits from AI and digital technology for digitalization and documentation of this heritage. Through initiatives such as Angkorian-AI, researchers are using computer vision and machine learning to analyze heritage and translate ancient inscriptions. Digital platforms can enable cultural institutions, researchers and communities across China and ASEAN to share heritage beyond geographic boundaries.

AI also creates opportunities for people-to-people exchanges and cross-cultural collaboration. However, AI-driven opportunities must be approached responsibly. Cultural diversity should be amplified, but cultural knowledge must be used with consent and respect for intellectual and cultural property. Frameworks such as the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics address risks of cultural misrepresentations and bias, ensuring that AI is safe, secure, inclusive and culturally respectful. This is where AI ethics and culture exchange come together.

Through multilingual technology, digital cultural heritage, and a new form of cultural interaction, AI can help us discover not only our commonalities but also appreciate the differences that make our civilizations unique. In this sense, AI can serve as a bridge between languages, cultures and people, deepening mutual understanding among civilizations.

AI should help every society preserve its identity, share knowledge, understand others and learn together. Let us embrace the opportunities brought by AI while ensuring that its development remains inclusive, culturally respectful, safe and human-centered.

The author is the secretary of state of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Cambodia. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.