THE proposed Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which includes cooperation on artificial intelligence, will be among the priority economic deliverables at the 58th Asean Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings this year, Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty said Friday.
DEFA aims to establish common rules on paperless trade, data protection and privacy, online consumer protection, electronic payments, trade facilitation, cross-border e-commerce, and cooperation on AI and other emerging technologies, Gepty noted.
The agreement is seen to benefit businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, by creating a more predictable and reliable environment for conducting transactions, selling products and expanding across Asean.
Gepty said specific programs and projects under DEFA would be negotiated by member states once the agreement takes effect. These could include initiatives to reskill and upskill workers and help people adapt to emerging technologies.
Asean economic ministers are also expected to discuss the responsible use of AI. The regional bloc already has an initiative on AI governance, but member states must continue working together as the technology develops, Gepty said.
AI adoption cuts across several items on the ministers’ agenda, including priority economic deliverables involving its application in industries such as healthcare.
Amid concerns over the rapid development of AI and its security risks, Gepty stressed the importance of educating people about its productive applications and the dangers of its misuse.
