New technologies drive a vibrant Asia-Pacific

Region's AI cooperation goes beyond competition

The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, the ROK, adopted the APEC AI Initiative for 2026-2030 to enable AI cooperation. The 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu further outlined key priorities, including industrial application, capacity building, safety and trustworthiness, and inclusive cooperation. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen to translate the existing consensus into tangible cooperative outcomes. The consensus on AI cooperation established under the APEC framework also provides crucial guidance for deepening collaboration in Northeast Asia.

The region boasts a robust industrial foundation with complementary strengths in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, industrial robots and AI application scenarios. However, it faces common challenges such as industrial transformation, upgrading and population aging. There is potential to deepen cooperation in three key areas.

Enhance application cooperation amid technological competition. The region should capitalize on each economy's industrial strengths and deepen practical collaboration in specific areas, such as AI-driven manufacturing transformation, industrial robots and smart manufacturing.

By encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises, local governments and research institutions to participate, AI technologies can be integrated into traditional manufacturing and public services. This approach allows more businesses and social groups to benefit from AI development, narrowing the AI application gap. In this way, AI cooperation extends beyond a few leading companies to include broader participation.

Despite institutional differences across the region, common ground can be found by respecting each other's diverse development models and policy choices. This mutual respect enables regional players to better utilize existing cooperation mechanisms and steadily expand collaboration in areas such as talent training, capacity building, AI safety, and practical applications.

By using industrial applications as a lever, players in Northeast Asia can enhance the exchange of experiences in building AI ecosystems and leverage their respective strengths. This collaborative approach will jointly advance regional industrial upgrading and economic prosperity.