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The age of AI has begun and become massive forthwith. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is currently having exponential growth and rapidly having a pivotal role in shaping a wide array of sectors.
The remarkable growth of AI has not occurred overnight, as the development of AI tools has been ongoing since the 1950s. According to Builtin.com, the development of AI began in 1951, with Christopher Strachey’s checkers program achieving the first documented success. Until now, AI has revolutionized computer capabilities by harnessing vast amounts of data, enabling optimal decision-making and expediting discoveries. This technology itself currently enhances human productivity by assisting with their daily responsibilities and tasks.
As AI continues to make progress, it has caught the attention of politicians and policymakers globally. In response, they are actively developing regulations to address the risks associated with AI and ensure that developers are responsible for the actions of their systems. Additionally, these rules are expected to define and evaluate the risks of AI while setting common standards and a shared understanding of the technology. The ultimate objective is to foster AI innovation while ensuring its responsible and safe use in the long term. China and the European Union (EU) are at the forefront of these efforts. In April this year, China recently published a draft called “Measures for Generative Artificial Intelligence Services.” As reported by China Briefing, this regulatory initiative aims to establish guidelines for the operation of generative AI systems in the country. Meanwhile, the EU is finalizing the Artificial Intelligence Act, which will regulate how AI is developed and used, especially in areas like facial recognition, predictive policing, and social scoring (Browne, 2023).
The EU is actively seizing the opportunity to regulate AI during the G7 intergovernmental forum known as the ‘Hiroshima AI Process. As reported by NHK World Japan, European countries and Japan, along with other nations, expressed contrasting views during the G7 forum. European countries emphasized the importance of strict regulations, while Japan and others focused on promoting AI technology development. However, all participants agreed to work together to converge their perspectives and establish unified AI laws by the end of the year in order to understand generative AI’s advantages and risks fully.
Similarly, ASEAN nations are taking steps to protect privacy and data in response to artificial intelligence’s exponential growth. Since February 2023, Southeast Asian nations have agreed to develop governance and ethics guidelines for AI. Singapore is leading the way with creating the “ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics,” which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
While efforts are being made to establish regulations, only representatives from Singapore have publicly addressed the issue. According to Reuters, a spokesperson from Singapore’s Ministry for Communications and Information stated that ASEAN countries will work together to develop an AI guide that aims to facilitate the responsible and effective use of innovative AI technologies in the region.
As discussions on AI governance in ASEAN are still in the preliminary phase and the process is treated with confidentiality, sources from other ASEAN countries have refrained from sharing further details regarding the specific aspects and structure of the AI guide with the media (Potkin, 2023). Nevertheless, these collective efforts among ASEAN countries clearly demonstrate the awareness among policymakers of the necessity to establish a framework that promotes the responsible and efficient utilization of AI technologies within the region
In conclusion, while AI offers immense potential, it is crucial to regulate its development and use to mitigate risks and ensure ethical practices. The collaborative efforts of governments and policymakers worldwide reflect the recognition of the importance of establishing unified regulations that promote trustworthy and responsible AI innovation. By doing so, we can harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding privacy, data, and societal well-being in the digital age.