AI Can Be A Force For Empowerment Through ASEAN-UK Collaboration: ASEAN Sec-Gen
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Artificial Intelligence (AI) can become a force for empowerment, inclusion, and resilience, ensuring that no nation or community is left behind through ASEAN-United Kingdom (UK) collaboration, said Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
He said the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) serves as a catalyst for ASEAN-UK cooperation in building a trusted and dynamic digital economy.
Dr Kao pointed out that with Internet users representing more than 80 per cent of ASEAN's population in 2023, the region's digital economy is projected to reach US$1 trillion by 2030.
"This year, ASEAN is prioritising the substantial conclusion of DEFA to build the regional digital ecosystem, which could potentially double the digital economy projection to US$2 trillion in the same period," he said in his special remark at the UK-ASEAN AI Innovation Summit 2025 on Monday.
He stated that the UK has also asserted its leadership by bringing together 28 governments to sign the Bletchley Declaration on AI Safety in November 2023, and by establishing the AI Safety Institute — later renamed the AI Security Institute — the world’s first state-backed body focused on the evaluation of advanced AI.
He said the newly established ASEAN-UK Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (AUKDSTI) also plays a crucial role in the ASEAN-UK partnership.
"Within the framework of science and technology cooperation between ASEAN and the UK, we took an important step in 2023 by holding the inaugural STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) Dialogue.
“This biennial Dialogue has since become a key platform for both regions to engage in emerging technologies, including AI.
“We have also advanced the UK-ASEAN Partnership on Smart Health Technologies powered by AI, demonstrating how innovation can directly improve lives.
“In just two weeks, the ASEAN Committee on STI (COSTI) will meet UK STI stakeholders again in Bangkok for the second Dialogue," he said.
In ASEAN, AI is expected to contribute a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) uplift of 10 to 18 per cent, equivalent to nearly US$1 trillion by 2030.
"Yet challenges remain: harmonising regulations across ten diverse economies (soon to be 11), bridging digital infrastructure gaps, and building AI capacity in less developed member states will require sustained effort and resources," he said.
He added that the UK brings complementary strengths, with more than 5,800 AI-related companies generating £23.9 billion in revenue, and major commitments such as Microsoft’s plan to invest US$30 billion in UK AI infrastructure, announced in September 2025.
"Embedding AI into our partnership will showcase shared innovation as the way forward—building trust, strengthening businesses, and making AI a true driver of resilience, inclusivity, and sustainable growth," he said.
Meanwhile, Minister for the Indo-Pacific at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Seema Malhotra, said ASEAN and the UK can do more together.
"The UK is committed to being a trusted partner for the region. There are many opportunities for research, innovation and building commercial partnerships that strengthen our economies," she said at the summit.
She emphasised that technology and digital are also key pillars of the UK-Malaysia Strategic Partnership agreed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in January 2025.
"Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship has set a bold and exciting agenda, putting digital innovation and AI at the heart of ASEAN's growth," she said.
--- BERNAMA
