AI Ecosystems and Trust in Asia

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers significant potential to address global challenges like public health, education, and productivity while respecting human rights. However, in regions like South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the broader Asia-Pacific, AI's transformative impact is uneven.

Challenges in AI Ecosystems

• AI decisions related to safety, bias, and accountability often exclude the communities most affected.
• The lack of trusted AI ecosystems can lead to societal rejection, governmental resistance, and misuse.
• AI ecosystems are inherently transnational, affected by global data flows, hardware interdependence, and diverse cybersecurity practices.

National AI Policies

Countries in Asia have distinct AI agendas:

• South Korea: Focuses on maintaining its dominance in memory chips within the AI supply chain.
• Singapore: Aims to be the "pace-setter" in AI governance.
• China: Seeks global leadership in AI governance while respecting state sovereignty.
• India: Looks to upskill its IT workforce and leverage its digital market growth.
• Nepal: Aspires to provide energy-efficient compute infrastructure.

Building Trust in AI

Despite differing objectives, these countries emphasize building trust among stakeholders. For instance:

• India's AI Governance Guidelines anchor trust as a foundational principle.
• South Korea's AI Basic Act aims to establish trustworthiness.
• The UN Secretary-General calls for a shared understanding and common benefits in AI governance.

Framework for Trusted AI Ecosystems

A common framework is needed to measure and strengthen trust in AI ecosystems across Asia, considering:

• Trusted Datasets: Real-time, high-quality data reflecting Asia's diversity.
• Resilient AI Infrastructure: Reliable access to compute, energy, and cloud resources.
• AI Skills and Public Awareness: Developing technical talent and societal literacy for responsible adoption.
• Global AI Value Chain: Access to semiconductors, critical minerals, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Proportionate AI Governance: Balancing innovation with accountability, addressing risks without hindering development.
• Cybersecurity: Protecting AI systems against threats and attacks.

The Role of India

India is well-positioned to lead in establishing a shared framework for AI governance, with an approach balancing AI innovation and safeguards. The AI Impact Summit is an opportunity to advance this initiative, aiming to build trusted ecosystems rather than merely minimizing risks.

Author: Arun Teja, JSW Science and Technology Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute, New Delhi