The attendees of the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20), held in Siem Reap on June 7, share the ‘ASEAN handshake’. Supplied
ASEAN has announced the implementation of five AI-related activities by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), with the support of dialogue partners. The new initiatives aim to position ASEAN as a competitive player in the global AI (artificial intelligence) landscape.
The five new programmes were announced in a June 7 joint statement which followed the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20), held in Siem Reap.
Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, told reporters at a press conference that the five activities include consultation on generative AI, an ASEAN workshop on the use of AI for carbon neutrality and a green economy, competition on new business models and AI development between South Korea and ASEAN, Korea-ASEAN AI convergence and encryption, and AI initiatives for sustainable development.
“Through our cooperation in science, technology and innovation, as well as AI, we hope that these initiatives will provide a positive boost to the growth and development of all member states,” he said.
According to Vanndy, the weeklong COSTI and related meetings focused on the potential of AI, its negative impacts and ethical considerations, so that it will become a net positive and benefit humanity.
The ASEAN member nations committed to sharing information on their AI-related findings, including exchange visits of specialists and matters of equity.
“When it comes to cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation, the ASEAN members have emphasised that no member countries will be left behind,” said Vanndy.
He noted that AI is already present in Cambodia, so the next question is how to live with it in an ethical way.
He compared it to the invention of the car many years ago, noting that people need to learn to “drive” AI to avoid being manipulated by it.
“As Prime Minister Hun Manet said this morning when discussing people-centred AI, we must not let technology determine our destiny; people must determine our destiny with the help of technology,” he said.
Looking forward, Vanndy noted that Cambodia is examining the preparation of a governance framework for AI, so it will not develop in the wrong way.
He added that Cambodia, and the other ASEAN member countries alike, will embark on efforts to educate their citizens to adapt to AI and benefit from it.
