President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing for Southeast Asia to play a greater role in artificial intelligence (AI) development, highlighting the region’s collective effort to accelerate digital transformation and build a seamless regional digital market.

Speaking at the 24th Forbes Global CEO conference in Singapore on Thursday, Marcos noted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is set to sign the first region-wide and binding Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) in November to simplify cross-border transactions and harmonize digital rules.

“ASEAN is not talking enough about AI,” said Marcos, this year’s ASEAN chair.

He said the comprehensive digital framework aims to advance digital development efforts and strengthen regional connectivity and interoperability.

“As we chair ASEAN this year, we need to put together a plan for AI – what are the things we can do to help others and how we can compete in a constructive way,” he said.

Negotiations on the ASEAN DEFA ended in May, with the formal signing scheduled for November during the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila.

The agreement is projected to help unlock the region’s digital economy potential, which is estimated to reach USD2 trillion by 2030.

DEFA establishes rules for digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, cybersecurity, AI, electronic payments, and personal data protection. (PNA)