Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter along with over 2,200 other AI policy professionals!
We are reorganizing this newsletter for the proactive policy advocate.
To keep up with the latest established AI policy, we suggest Digital Policy Alert (DPA). Check out their latest summary here.
🇺🇳 Special Invitation from UN DESA
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) invites Asia AI Policy Monitor readers to submit written contributions to its survey on implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Action Lines C1, C7 (e-Government), and C11.
As part of ongoing efforts to monitor progress, evaluate implementation, and support national strategies across the WSIS framework, UN DESA is seeking feedback and insights to help shape implementation roadmaps and policy guidance.
Governments, industry, civil society, academia and other stakeholders are invited to contribute.
Deadline for submissions: 15 September 2026
Open Consultations
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea — National Sovereign AI and Digital Transformation Strategy
Papua New Guinea’s Department of ICT is consulting stakeholders on its National Sovereign AI and Digital Transformation Strategy, covering government AI adoption, digital public infrastructure, sovereignty and coordination.
“The Government of Papua New Guinea is undertaking stakeholder consultations on the National Sovereign AI and Digital Transformation Strategy.”
Advocacy opportunity: Open consultation. Stakeholders can engage directly through the government consultation process.
Source: https://www.ict.gov.pg/national-ai-bx-strategy/
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea — Data Governance and Data Protection Bill 2026
Papua New Guinea’s Department of ICT has consulted on the Data Governance and Data Protection Bill 2026, which expressly addresses automated and AI systems alongside data rights, sovereign hosting and cross-border data governance.
“It addresses… sovereign hosting and the responsible use of automated and artificial intelligence systems.”
Advocacy opportunity: The formal consultation deadline has passed, but the government has indicated that late submissions may still be accepted with an explanation.
Source: https://www.ict.gov.pg/data-governance-and-data-protection-bill-2026/
China
Artificial Intelligence / Industrial Policy
🇨🇳 China — Jilin Province | Jilin Provincial Development and Reform Commission | 24 August 2026 — Jilin opened public consultation on its 15th Five-Year Plan for “Artificial Intelligence+” Development (Draft for Comments). Comments close 31 August 2026.
“To advance the comprehensive empowerment of all industries through artificial intelligence, we have drafted the ‘Jilin Province “Artificial Intelligence+” Development 15th Five-Year Plan (Draft for Comments)’ and are now publicly soliciting opinions.”
https://jldrc.jl.gov.cn/hdjl/yjzj/yjzj/202608/t20260824_3665146.html
🇨🇳 China — Guangzhou, Tianhe District | Tianhe District Development and Reform Bureau | 13 August 2026 — Tianhe opened consultation on Measures to Promote High-Quality Development of the Artificial Intelligence Industry (Draft for Comments). Comments close 14 September 2026.
“Focusing on breakthroughs in key core technologies and product R&D, continuously optimizing the artificial intelligence industrial ecosystem, and promoting AI technological innovation and scenario deployment, [the bureau] drafted the measures and is now soliciting public comments.”
https://www.thnet.gov.cn/thdt/tzgg/qtgg/content/post_10963300.html
Competition / AI Industrial Policy
🇨🇳 China — Guangzhou, Tianhe District | Tianhe District Science, Technology, Industry and Information Technology Bureau | 19 August 2026 — Tianhe opened consultation on repealing its Measures for Promoting High-Quality Development of the Artificial Intelligence Industry Large-Model Sector. Comments close 17 September 2026.
“To implement relevant fair-competition review requirements, ensure the standardization and effectiveness of existing policy documents, and foster a market-oriented and law-based business environment, [the bureau] proposes to repeal the ‘Several Policy Measures of Guangzhou Tianhe District for Promoting High-Quality Development of the Artificial Intelligence Industry Large-Model Sector.’”
https://www.thnet.gov.cn/thdt/tzgg/qtgg/content/post_10970200.html
AI Entrepreneurship / Local Policy
🇨🇳 China — Beijing, Daxing District | Xihongmen Town People’s Government | 17 August 2026 — Xihongmen opened consultation on Measures Supporting Innovative Development of Artificial Intelligence OPCs (Draft for Comments). Comments close 16 September 2026.
“The Xihongmen Town People’s Government has drafted the ‘Several Measures of Xihongmen Town, Daxing District to Support Innovative Development of Artificial Intelligence OPCs (Draft for Comments)’ and is now publicly soliciting opinions.”
https://www.beijing.gov.cn/hudong/gfxwjzj/qjzjxx/202608/t20260817_4825183.html
Data Governance / Intellectual Property
🇨🇳 China — Hubei Province | Hubei Provincial Intellectual Property Office | 23 August 2026 — Hubei opened consultation on revised Measures for the Administration of Data Intellectual Property Registration (Draft for Comments). The consultation runs through 22 September 2026.
“The Provincial Intellectual Property Office has comprehensively revised the ‘Measures for the Administration of Data Intellectual Property Registration (Trial),’ optimizing registration procedures, expanding scenarios for certificate use, and adding industrial-promotion provisions.”
https://zscqj.hubei.gov.cn/hdjl/dczj/yjzj.shtml?collectionId=3569&siteId=21&status=0
Privacy / Personal Information
🇨🇳 China | Cyberspace Administration of China | 7 August 2026 — China opened consultation on the Provisions on Personal Information Protection by Large Personal Information Processors (Draft for Comments). Comments close 7 September 2026.
“To regulate the personal information processing activities of large personal information processors, protect lawful personal information rights and interests, and promote the lawful and reasonable use of personal information, [CAC] has formed the ‘Provisions on Personal Information Protection by Large Personal Information Processors (Draft for Comments)’ and is now publicly soliciting opinions.”
https://legalinfo.moj.gov.cn/zhfxfzzx/fzzxyw/202608/t20260808_538357.html
AI Legislation
🇨🇳 China — Jiangsu Province | Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress | 14 August 2026 — Jiangsu opened a public call for views on artificial intelligence industry development as part of work on the Jiangsu Province Regulation on Promoting Artificial Intelligence Industry Development (Draft). Submissions close 31 October 2026.
“The Standing Committee of the Provincial People’s Congress conducted the first deliberation of the ‘Jiangsu Province Regulation on Promoting Artificial Intelligence Industry Development (Draft)’ in July this year, will conduct a second deliberation in November, and plans to submit it for deliberation and adoption at the sixth session of the 14th Provincial People’s Congress in early 2027.”
https://www.jsrd.gov.cn/ggl/202608/t20260814_1351656.shtml
Technical Standards
🇨🇳 China | Ministry of Industry and Information Technology | 13 August 2026 — MIIT opened consultation on 25 proposed electronics-sector industry standards, including General Computer Performance Evaluation Methods. Comments close 12 September 2026.
“The relevant standardization technical organizations have completed the preparation of 25 electronics industry standards, including ‘General Computer Performance Evaluation Methods.’ To further solicit opinions from all sectors of society, they are hereby published for comment.”
https://wap.miit.gov.cn/jgsj/kjs/jscx/bzgf/art/2026/art_e87f52b06edd430abb90fa6e35670f93.html
Japan
Privacy / Platform Governance
🇯🇵 Japan | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 19 August 2026 — MIC opened consultation on the Second Report of the Working Group on User Information, including draft guidance on compliance with rules governing external transmission of user information from websites and other services. Comments close 18 September 2026.
“The Working Group has conducted focused expert consideration aimed at further protecting user information relating to telecommunications and platform services.”
https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01kiban18_01000293.html
Consumer Protection
🇯🇵 Japan | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 24 August 2026 — MIC opened consultation on its 2026 Monitoring Survey Plan for Implementation of Consumer Protection Rules in the telecommunications sector. Comments close 24 September 2026.
“MIC has prepared the draft survey plan for the 2026 regular survey and is soliciting opinions on the proposal.”
https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01kiban08_03000456.html
Financial Regulation
🇯🇵 Japan | Financial Services Agency | 7 August 2026 — The FSA opened consultation on amendments to supervisory guidelines that would move regulated financial institutions to common government reporting forms for cybersecurity incidents and cyberattacks. Comments close 7 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
“The FSA has prepared amendments to its supervisory guidelines to transition from existing reporting forms to the common forms established under the inter-ministerial arrangement.”
https://www.fsa.go.jp/news/r8/sonota/20260807-2/20260807-2.html
Competition Policy
🇯🇵 Japan | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 31 July 2026 — MIC opened consultation on its draft FY2025 Assessment Report on Competition in the Telecommunications Business Sector. Comments close 1 September 2026.
“MIC prepared the draft assessment report on competition conditions in the telecommunications business sector and is soliciting opinions on the proposal.”
https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01kiban02_02000611.html
South Korea | Data Governance
🇰🇷 South Korea | Personal Information Protection Commission | 21 August 2026 — PIPC opened consultation on a draft Personal Information Leak Response Manual ahead of amendments to the Personal Information Protection Act taking effect on 11 September. Comments close 3 September 2026.
“The draft guide is being released to collect views from various stakeholders until September 3, 2026.”
https://www.pipc.go.kr/np/cop/bbs/selectBoardArticle.do?bbsId=BS061&mCode=C010010000&nttId=12399
🇰🇷 South Korea | Personal Information Protection Commission | 21 August 2026 — PIPC opened consultation on a draft Guide to the Administrative Fine Investment Reduction System, concerning the new penalty-reduction mechanism under the amended Personal Information Protection Act. Comments close 3 September 2026.
“The draft guide is being released and opinions from various stakeholders will be collected until September 3, 2026.”
https://www.pipc.go.kr/np/cop/bbs/selectBoardArticle.do?bbsId=BS061&mCode=C010010000&nttId=12398
Singapore | Intellectual Property
🇸🇬 Singapore | Ministry of Law / Intellectual Property Office of Singapore | 26 August 2026 — MinLaw and IPOS opened consultation on Artificial Intelligence and Singapore’s Intellectual Property Regime, covering AI training and copyright, AI-generated outputs, AI-assisted works, patent inventorship, and AI-generated prior art. Comments close 22 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
“This public consultation now seeks broader views and perspectives from interested parties.”
Genetic Information
🇸🇬 Singapore | Ministry of Health | 7 August 2026 — MOH opened consultation on a proposed Bill on Protecting Genetic Information, addressing the use of genetic information in non-clinical settings, including insurance and employment. Comments close 4 September 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
“The proposed Bill will set out clear rules on the use of genetic information in non-clinical settings.”
Australia | Information Governance
🇦🇺 Australia | Office of the Australian Information Commissioner | 11 August 2026 — OAIC opened consultation on revisions to Part 14 of the Freedom of Information Guidelines — Disclosure Log, covering government disclosure practices, publication requirements, searchability, and recordkeeping. Comments close 4 September 2026.
“The OAIC is seeking comments from interested stakeholders on the content, practical implications, readability and accessibility of updates.”
NZ | Digital Infrastructure
🇳🇿 New Zealand | Commerce Commission | 4 August 2026 — The Commerce Commission opened submissions on Tranche 2 of its Fibre Input Methodologies Review 2027 Issues Paper, including fibre-specific cost-of-capital matters. Submissions close 1 September 2026.
“We invite feedback through the submission process detailed in the paper… Submissions close on 1 September 2026.”
TW | Intellectual Property
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Ministry of Economic Affairs / Industrial Development Administration | 21 August 2026 — Taiwan’s TIPS program released the draft Guidelines for the Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) under TIPS and invited public feedback on intellectual-property issues arising from organizational use of AI. The consultation remains open through 31 December 2026.
“We sincerely invite all sectors to complete the feedback questionnaire and share practical experience and suggestions on the draft guidelines.”
https://keid.nat.gov.tw/tips/vent?sno=BFCEDG
Recently Closed Consultations
🇧🇩 Bangladesh — National AI Policy 2026–2030
Bangladesh has closed public consultation on its National AI Policy 2026–2030. The AI Policy Committee is now reviewing submissions before finalising the policy.
“Stakeholder recommendations will be integrated into the final policy draft.”
Source:
https://aipolicy.gov.bd/
🇲🇳 Mongolia — Data Bill submitted to Parliament
Mongolia has submitted its first Data Bill to Parliament, with the government explicitly linking the legislation to the development of artificial intelligence, innovation and the digital economy.
“The purpose of this law is to… support the development of business, innovation, artificial intelligence and the digital economy.”
Source:
https://mddic.gov.mn/
Opportunities
🇲🇳 Mongolia — AI legal framework and green data centre policy
Mongolia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications has begun work with external partners on national AI strategy, AI infrastructure and the legal environment for artificial intelligence and data.
“The parties will cooperate to improve Mongolia’s artificial intelligence and Green Data Centre policies and strategies.”
The cooperation also covers work to improve the country’s “legal environment for data and artificial intelligence.”
Source:
https://mddic.gov.mn/
🇵🇰 Pakistan — AI governance framework under development
The Pakistan Digital Authority is building a dedicated AI supervision and governance function tasked with developing national AI frameworks, policies, standards and oversight mechanisms.
“The Advisor – AI Supervision & Governance shall provide strategic advisory support… in establishing and strengthening national frameworks, policies, standards, and oversight mechanisms.”
Source: https://www.pda.gov.pk/careers.php
🇵🇰 Pakistan — Synthetic content, AI governance and platform policy
The Pakistan Digital Authority has begun discussing AI governance, synthetic-content labelling, election integrity, trust and safety and platform policy with technology companies.
“Discussions focused on… advancing AI governance, trust and safety, synthetic content labeling, and election integrity.”
The Authority has also indicated that it intends to continue broader stakeholder consultations.
Source: https://www.pda.gov.pk/press-details.php?id=pda-tiktok
🇨🇳 China — Comprehensive National AI Legislation
11 May 2026 — China’s State Council included comprehensive artificial intelligence legislation in its 2026 Legislative Work Plan, alongside further legislation covering data, computing power, algorithms, intellectual property, cybersecurity, supply-chain security and key AI application scenarios.
“Improve AI governance and accelerate comprehensive legislation for the healthy development of artificial intelligence.” (translation)
Source: Ministry of Justice — State Council 2026 Legislative Work Plan
🇲🇾 Malaysia — AI Governance Bill Moving Toward Finalisation
10 July–1 August 2026 — Malaysia’s National AI Office completed a pre-drafting public consultation on the proposed Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill, the country’s planned horizontal AI governance framework. The proposed framework uses a risk-based approach and envisages a central AI authority, sectoral regulators, incident reporting and AI sandboxes.
“The proposed AI Governance Bill continues to be refined prior to its finalisation.”
Sources: Malaysia Ministry of Digital — AI Governance Bill | Unified Public Consultation
🇮🇩 Indonesia — AI Law Planned Following Presidential Regulations
28 July 2026 — Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs confirmed that the government plans to develop a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Law, following presidential regulations on the National AI Roadmap and AI ethics.
“We plan to make a law as well, an AI Law. But the test case is this Presidential Regulation first.” (translation)
Sources: Komdigi — Presidential AI regulation as first step toward AI Law | Komdigi — finalisation of AI presidential regulations
🇭🇰 Hong Kong — AI Legal Review and Future Deepfake Consultation
15 July 2026 — Hong Kong confirmed that an interdepartmental working group is reviewing existing laws to identify gaps arising from AI and consider targeted solutions, including possible bespoke legislation. Separately, the Law Reform Commission’s Cybercrime Sub-committee is examining cyber-enabled crimes, including offences involving deepfake technology.
“Will consult the public in due course.”
Source: Hong Kong Government — Regulation of AI-generated synthetic content
🇹🇼 Taiwan — AI Basic Act Implementation and Sectoral Rules
30 April 2026 — Following passage of Taiwan’s Artificial Intelligence Basic Act, the Ministry of Digital Affairs set out implementation work including an AI Risk Taxonomy and Assessment Framework, AI evaluation and verification methods, and mechanisms for data opening, sharing and reuse.
“Risk identification, assessment, and response, and formulating risk-based management regulations.”
MODA states that sectoral authorities will translate the framework into legally binding, directly enforceable sector-specific regulations.
Sources: MODA — AI Basic Act implementation directions | MODA — AI Risk Taxonomy and Assessment Framework
🇹🇭 Thailand — Draft AI Regulation Continues to Develop
15 June–2 July 2026 — Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency continued work on its AI regulatory framework during AI Governance Week 2026, including discussion of Draft AI Regulation v.4, AI responsibility and intellectual-property issues.
“The direction of Thailand’s AI Regulation … AI Responsibility, AI & IP … and Draft AI Regulation v.4.” (translation)
Source: ETDA — AI Governance Week 2026
🇸🇬 Singapore — Government to Consult on AI Liability and Accountability
7 May 2026 — Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information confirmed that it is examining whether existing liability frameworks adequately address harms caused by generative AI and large language models.
“Continue to study this issue, including consulting with practitioners, academia, and industry on whether there are any accountability gaps.”
Source: Singapore MDDI — AI liability and accountability framework
🇮🇳 India — AI Governance Group Begins Regulatory Policy Work
16–18 April 2026 — India established a new AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) and Technology and Policy Expert Committee to coordinate national AI governance and advise on policy design and regulatory measures.
“India’s central institutional mechanism for AI governance policy development and coordination.”
Sources: Government of India — establishment of AIGEG | Technology and Policy Expert Committee
🇵🇭 Philippines — Comprehensive AI Regulation Bill Filed in Senate
5 May 2026 — Senate Bill No. 2097, the Framework for Accountable and Intelligent Regulation of Artificial Intelligence (FAIR) Act, was filed in the Philippine Senate.
“An Act Institutionalizing a Comprehensive Regulatory Framework on the Use of Artificial Intelligence.”
Source: Philippine Senate — Senate Bill No. 2097 / FAIR Act
🇯🇵 Japan — Government Orders Review of AI Act and Related Regulation
10 July 2026 — Japan’s AI Strategy Headquarters approved an updated AI Basic Plan and advanced sector-specific strategies for vertical AI. Prime Minister Takaichi also instructed ministries to review the AI Act and related systems.
“Proactive review of related systems, including the AI Act.” (translation)
Source: Japan Cabinet Office — AI Strategy Headquarters, 10 July 2026
One thing that makes Japan particularly interesting is the gap between a policy change and its commercial impact.
For vendors, the key question is often not only “what does the rule require?” but “when will enterprise buyers start translating it into questionnaires, contracts, or internal approval criteria?”
That second step is where policy starts becoming a procurement signal.