AI Governance in Asia-Pacific: Key Takeaways from G7 and ASEAN Dialogues

As artificial intelligence (AI) redefines economies, societies, and governance models globally, the Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a proactive force in shaping responsible AI development. From highly digitised economies like Singapore and Japan to rising innovation hubs such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the region aligns closely with international norms while preserving local relevance and sovereignty.

Recent policy dialogues in the G7 and ASEAN blocs have significantly influenced the trajectory of AI regulation in Asia-Pacific. These global efforts are helping regional governments establish clear, adaptable, and human-centred governance frameworks that balance opportunity and risk.

G7 Hiroshima AI Process: A New Gold Standard

The G7 Hiroshima AI Process, introduced in 2024, represents one of the most comprehensive multilateral efforts to guide the safe and responsible development of advanced AI technologies. The initiative outlines:

• 11 International Guiding Principles that stress human rights, accountability, transparency, and risk management.
• A voluntary Code of Conduct for developers and deployers of AI, aimed at building global trust and interoperability.

These frameworks are already influencing Asia-Pacific policymakers, who are eager to attract foreign investment while avoiding algorithmic harms like bias, misinformation, and surveillance abuse.

ASEAN’s Ethical Blueprint for Generative AI

In January 2025, ASEAN released its Expanded Guide on AI Governance and Ethics – Generative AI, supplementing its 2024 foundational framework. The guide provides regionally tailored recommendations to manage:

• Deepfakes and content manipulation
• Bias in large language models
• Digital rights and privacy issues
• Cross-border AI risk and data governance

ASEAN’s framework recognises the diversity in technical readiness across member states and encourages flexibility, promoting AI for the public good while managing platform accountability.

Regional Implementation: Leaders and Learners

Singapore

Singapore remains a pioneer in ethical AI governance through its Model AI Governance Framework and AI Verify toolkit. AI Verify allows companies to test and report on their AI models’ transparency, safety, and fairness—a move increasingly aligned with G7 recommendations.

Japan

As a G7 nation, Japan actively supports global AI ethics. Its AI Strategy 2022 promotes responsible AI in disaster resilience, education, and eldercare. Japan is also championing open-source AI research and contributing to international safety benchmarks.

India

India’s National AI Strategy, built under NITI Aayog, seeks to empower healthcare, agriculture, and education through AI. The newly enacted Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) and the proposed Digital India Act signal the government’s commitment to embedding privacy and accountability in digital innovation.

Australia

Australia’s updated AI Ethics Framework places strong emphasis on explainability, fairness, and inclusiveness. The government is backing this with strategic investments in R&D and AI workforce development through its national digital economy agenda.

South Asia’s Next Wave: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Nepal

Sri Lanka: Toward Responsible AI Leadership

Sri Lanka is currently finalising its National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, which outlines a holistic plan to integrate AI across government, healthcare, agriculture, and education. The strategy emphasises:

• Ethical and inclusive design
• Private sector participation
• Open public consultation processes

Budget 2025 allocates LKR 3 billion toward digital transformation, AI skill development, and innovation infrastructure, demonstrating real political will.

Bangladesh: Anchoring Smart Bangladesh 2041

Bangladesh’s draft National AI Policy 2024 seeks to mainstream AI in public services, education, and agriculture. Notable features include:

• Guidelines for ethical AI design
• Recommendations for sectoral AI R&D clusters
• Emphasis on inclusive innovation for marginalised groups

The new Cyber Security Act 2023, replacing the controversial Digital Security Act, has implications for AI governance, particularly regarding surveillance, misinformation, and freedom of expression.

Nepal: Charting a National AI Path

Nepal’s recently introduced National AI Policy 2081 (2025) aims to establish:

• A National AI Centre
• An AI Regulatory Authority
• AI education across universities

Though implementation is still at a nascent stage, the framework lays out Nepal’s ambition to become a digital economy leader in South Asia.

Conclusion: A Converging Vision for AI in Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is no longer a passive recipient of global AI trends—it is a shaping force. While local contexts vary, there is a clear movement toward convergence on core values: safety, transparency, inclusiveness, and global interoperability.

As the region continues to align with global frameworks like the G7 Hiroshima AI Process and ASEAN’s Ethical AI Guide, expect to see more cross-border collaboration, talent development initiatives, and public-private partnerships to embed trust in the future of AI.

Sources

1. G7 AI Principles and Code of Conduct (EY Overview) – Outlines the G7 Hiroshima Process principles and voluntary code for responsible AI development.
   https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/ai/g7-ai-principles-and-code-of-conduct
2. ASEAN Expanded Guide on AI Governance and Ethics – Generative AI (2025) – Provides policy guidance for ASEAN countries on the ethical use of generative AI.
   https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Expanded-ASEAN-Guide-on-AI-Governance-and-Ethics-Generative-AI.pdf
3. Sri Lanka’s National Strategy on AI (Ministry of Technology) – Government-led roadmap on ethical AI development and stakeholder consultation.
   https://mode.gov.lk/notices/AI%20Sri%20Lanka%20Sri%20Lanka%E2%80%99s%20National%20Strategy%20on%20AI%20Open%20for%20Public%20Consultation
4. Bangladesh Draft AI Policy 2024 (ICT Division) – The draft national framework for fostering AI growth and regulation in Bangladesh.
   https://ictd.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/ictd.portal.gov.bd/page/6c9773a2_7556_4395_bbec_f132b9d819f0/Draft%20National_AI_Policy_2024.pdf
5. Nepal’s AI Policy 2081 (ResearchGate) – SWOT analysis and commentary on Nepal’s national AI ambitions.
   https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389736921_A_Critical_Examination_of_Nepal%27s_National_AI_Policy_20812025_SWOT_Analysis_and_Strategic_Recommendations_for_Sustainable_AI_Integration
6. India’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NITI Aayog) – India’s vision for inclusive AI innovation.
   https://www.niti.gov.in/national-strategy-ai
7. Australia’s AI Ethics Framework (Department of Industry) – Ethical guidelines for developers and users of AI in Australia.
   https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/australias-artificial-intelligence-ethics-framework
8. AI Verify by IMDA Singapore – Testing toolkit for evaluating responsible AI claims in Singapore.
   https://www.imda.gov.sg/ai-verify
9. Japan’s AI Strategy 2022 – Government initiatives on AI safety, research, and disaster preparedness.
   https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/ai_strategy_2022.pdf