Asia AI Policy #6
AI regs & policy affecting digital rights, privacy, trust/safety, environment in Korea, Singapore, Australia, China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar...
Welcome to the 6th edition of the Asia AI Policy Monitor written by Digital Governance Asia’s secretariat staff Seth Hays, chief editor of the newsletter based in Taiwan. If you have any questions or would like to contribute, share information or have any other comments, email us seth@apacgates.com.
Privacy & AI
Korea’s privacy regulator (PIPC) released 5 types of synthetic data generation reference models for research and corporate use. Synthetic data will be key to building data sets to train AI models while protecting privacy. The five reference models include such use cases:
Healthcare: Oral images for cavity diagnosis
Public Safety: Helmet-wearing detection images
Healthcare: Blood glucose data
Telecom: Membership records
Finance: Corporate shareholder information
Korea’s PIPC issued rulings on several AI app companies and their practices, recommending more data minimization, and better user notifications.
Hong Kong’s PDPC published the AI Model Personal Data Protection Framework. This builds on the 2021 publication of Guidance on the Ethical Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. Director Ada Chung said the Framework positioned Hong Kong for leadership in the Southern China region on AI:
“...the Model Framework will help nurture the healthy development of AI in Hong Kong, facilitate Hong Kong’s development into an innovation and technology hub, and propel the expansion of the digital economy not only in Hong Kong but also in the Greater Bay Area.”
Trust, Security & AI
Singapore’s AI Verify launched the Model Governance Framework for Generative AI AI, following a round of public consultations.
We are pleased to see recognition of the contribution from our staff from our secretariat at APAC GATES to the document!
Additionally, Singapore’s AI Verify will launch Project Moonshot - a generative AI safety assessment toolkit.
Singapore’s Monetary Authority provides guidance on the use of generative AI in the financial sector.
OpenAI threat intel report notes that China-based threat actors are using their services for productivity enhancement, creating synethic engagement and content.
Taiwan’s former Digital Minister spoke at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit about the challenges from generative AI during its 2024 election cycle. She shared tactics for addressing AI-fueled misinformation, and multi-stakeholder approaches to address AI in amendments to the Anti-Fraud Act.
Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT announced public-private cooperation to use AI and data to prevent voice phishing scams.
Korea’s Communications Commission will strengthen international cooperation to address the impact of deepfakes following discussions at the Democracy Summit and the AI Seoul Summit, as well as at the OECD, which is preparing recommendations.
Multilateral & AI
The G7 (which includes Japan) Leaders’ Communique concluded with the following statement on AI-related issues:
We will promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI. We will pursue an inclusive, human-centered, digital transformation that underpins economic growth and sustainable development, maximizes benefits, and manages risks, in line with our shared democratic values and respect for human rights…
We will work toward these objectives by actively cooperating with other stakeholders, organizations and initiatives as relevant, such as the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and the OECD. We will build on the outcomes of the AI Seoul Summit and upcoming milestones, including this year’s UN Summit of the Future and the AI Action Summit in 2025.
G7 finance ministers released a statement on AI in the finance industry focusing on AI’s impact on macroeconomics, financial stability, labour force, and environmental sustainability.
Singapore and Rwanda will develop an AI Governance Playbook, announced at the Digital Forum for Small States (Digital FOSS).
Singapore and the US conducted a roundtable on the importance of ensuring that economies are able to harness the full potential of AI, while also promoting the highest standards for designing, developing, and deploying AI responsibly.
Singapore and the EU concluded their 10th Senior Officials Meeting, including discussion of AI as part of the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership of 2023.
The Korea, China, Japan Trilateral declaration includes provisions on AI cooperation:
Recognizing the growing importance of cooperation in science and technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), we will strive to resume the Trilateral Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting and the Trilateral ICT Ministers' Meeting….We note the need to promptly address the possible impacts of AI on the daily lives of humanity, and the importance of mutual communication on AI.
Environment & AI
Singapore launched the Green Data Center Roadmap, seeking to support efforts to increase energy efficiency, water usage efficiency, and source renewables for resource-hungry data centers powering the country’s AI ambitions.
In the News
NPR explores why China and Taiwan are creating their own respective LLMs.
The New York Times reported on the ecosystem of providers factchecking disinformation and addressing deepfakes during India’s elections.
A Wired project focuses on deepfakes across all elections in 2024, including in Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Korea.
MIT Review examines China’s AI regulatory environment, noting how tech regs swing from leniency to crack-down. Given the importance of AI, the industry is currently in the “lenient” phase.
China’s Cyber Administration released the 6th batch of genAI service providers with nearly 500 entrants.
The Asia Policy Monitor’s editor offered an opinion piece for the Asia Times on Indonesian views about AI and the policies needed to address concerns.
Analysis
The United States Institute of Peace released a report on “Transnational Crime in Southeast Asia” - spotlighting the dynamics of the AI-fueled online scam industry pervasive in countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
The Asia Development Bank published the report “Artificial Intelligence in Action: Selected ADB Initiatives in Asia and Pacific” - examines AI deployment and potential in the public sector.
The Center for Security and Emerging Technology released on a report on roadblocks to China’s military use of AI.
Legislative & Regulatory
Australia’s government introduced amendments to the criminal code to penalize sharing of nonconsensual sexually explicit deepfake images.
Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan read a bill introducing initiatives to address AI-fueled fraud including deepfakes.
UNESCO and Indonesia’s Kominfo launched the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology to align AI development with global ethical standards.
China’s Cyber Administration, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and State Administration for Market Regulation, released a 3-year action plan on tech standards covering AI chips, genAI, quantum, and brain interface aiming to better drive technological and economic development and enhance international influence.
China’s State Council Legislative Work Plan for 2024 includes a stand-alone AI Law reviewed in May submitted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
China’s Guangdong Province issues guidance on enabling industries with AI. Focus on industrial & medical robots (e.g. home care), environmental monitoring, EV, chip ecosystem, open source corpus and models.
Advocacy
China’s Cyber Administration TC260 opened public comment on generative AI basic requirements for security until July 22.
Public comment opened until June 21 on Australia's statutory review of the Online Safety Act 2021. The review includes points on how to address emerging harms caused by generative AI, deepfakes, algorithmic bias.
Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT issues public comment on AI regulations per the New Digital Era Plan until July 31.
Events
August 18-19, Taipei, Digital Rights Asia Pacific 2024
August 21-23, Taipei, Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum
February 24-27, 2025, Taipei, RightsCon 2025