The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum promotes open collaboration among its 21 member economies, with the aim of ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) governance fosters innovation, improves competitiveness and promotes a more inclusive global economy.
“In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, no economy can manage its governance in isolation. As AI becomes a fundamental pillar of global development, regional cooperation becomes crucial to address the ethical, social and regulatory challenges posed by this transformative technology,” APEC said in a statement to the press on Monday (07.10.2024).
The Asia-Pacific region, with its diversity of advanced and developing economies, offers a clear example of the potential and need for collaborative efforts in AI governance. “From technology powerhouses to emerging digital players, the spectrum of AI adoption varies considerably. However, this diversity presents a unique opportunity for cross-border cooperation, fostering knowledge sharing, capacity building and the creation of shared governance frameworks,” the statement said.
The urgency of this cooperation is heightened by the fact that AI is transforming industries and societies at an unprecedented pace. In sectors such as healthcare, education and finance, AI drives efficiency, improves outcomes and opens up new possibilities for innovation. However, these advances bring with them significant challenges in terms of governance and regulation.
In regions such as Southeast Asia and Latin America, the disparity in AI readiness further highlights the importance of regional cooperation. “At a recent dialogue on AI organized by APEC Peru 2024 and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, policymakers and experts from the region emphasized the need for collaborative governance. Furthermore, evidence-based policymaking, facilitated by regional collaboration, is critical in this process,” APEC notes..
Nicolas Miailhe, representative of the Global Partnership on AI and AI safety startup PRISM Eval, He described as “imperative” the need to seek dynamic ways to build evidence-based policies, which requires investment in capabilities and regional cooperation. In this regard, he stressed that the Asia-Pacific region, especially in terms of its role in semiconductors and AI applications, should focus on creating collaborative frameworks that ensure safe and responsible AI development.
In Peru
Regarding the development of AI in the region, APEC experts highlight that the process of digital transformation in Peru exemplifies how regional cooperation can accelerate AI governance. “With the support of Korea and other global leaders in AI, Peru has been able to develop its AI strategies and improve its capabilities in both the public and private sectors. This leadership in AI governance is largely based on learning from other economies,” they indicate.
César Vilchez, head of the Secretariat of Government and Digital Transformation of Peru, commented that thanks to international collaboration, especially among APEC economies, numerous projects have been implemented in this area. “International collaboration has allowed Peru to integrate AI in key sectors such as education, health and business, ensuring a comprehensive approach to digital transformation,” he said.
The disparities
However, Elina Noor, Senior Fellow, Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, warns of the huge disparities that persist between economies in terms of AI development and governance capacity. “While discussions in Washington and Silicon Valley focus on AI in general, many other economies face a fundamental shortage of capabilities and resources,” he explained.
Noor stressed that applying a one-size-fits-all approach to AI governance could exacerbate inequalities, so it is crucial to adopt a contextualized understanding of AI governance, especially in developing economies. “It is essential to critically analyze what concepts like trustworthiness and safety mean in different contexts, and adapt AI policies to local realities,” she suggested.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum will hold its meeting from November 10 to 16, a crucial event to make progress on these issues. During this summit, representatives of member economies are expected to discuss concrete strategies to strengthen cooperation in AI governance, addressing concerns and challenges pointed out by experts such as Elina Noor.
In this regard, APEC, which includes economies as diverse as Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, will play a key role in formulating inclusive policies tailored to local realities. Collaboration on AI governance will not only benefit member countries, but will also establish a model for cooperation that could stimulate other regions. (Press release: AI Governance: Why Cooperation Matters)
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