Terry KS The Ministry of Digital, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, hosted the “Powering the Intelligent Age” Summit in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together regional leaders to advance responsible AI, digitalisation, and clean industrial transformation — marking a major milestone under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
MALAYSIA, 29 OCTOBER 2025 – The Ministry of Digital, through the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) and in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), today hosted the Powering the Intelligent Age: Driving Innovation with Southeast Asia and Beyond Summit at Sasana Kijang. The event marked a key milestone in Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, positioning the country as a regional leader in technology governance and digital innovation.
The summit brought together over 400 delegates from 14 countries, including senior policymakers, corporate leaders, researchers, and startup founders. The wide representation underscored ASEAN’s commitment to advancing responsible technology adoption and clean industrial transformation through strong collaboration between public, private, and international stakeholders.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the ASEAN AI Safety Network (ASEAN AI Safe) — a Priority Economic Deliverable under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship. Anchored in Kuala Lumpur, the Network will connect policymakers, researchers, and industry players to promote safe, inclusive, and trusted AI adoption across the region.
“Malaysia wants to become an AI Nation by 2030, supported by trusted governance, inclusive talent development and investments that drive real economic impact,” said YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital. “As ASEAN Chair, we are focused on building collaborative frameworks that ensure technology is deployed safely, transparently, and for the benefit of all communities. The ASEAN AI Safe marks an important step forward, but it is only one part of our broader mission to create an ecosystem where innovation and accountability move together.”
The summit agenda moved beyond policy dialogue, focusing on actionable collaboration and measurable outcomes. Key sessions explored a shared AI governance framework for ASEAN, sustainability-driven technology adoption, and industrial transformation through innovation partnerships.
Another key announcement was the Sustainable AI White Paper, jointly developed by MYCentre4IR and ERM, in consultation with Microsoft. The paper provides guidance on responsible and energy-efficient AI deployment across the region, aligning with ASEAN’s sustainability and digital economy goals.
A Leader’s Dialogue between YB Gobind Singh Deo and Cathy Li, Head of the Centre for AI Excellence at WEF, delved into ASEAN’s strategy for responsible AI development and equitable access to AI capabilities. “Southeast Asia has a unique opportunity to shape the global AI standards of tomorrow,” said Li, emphasizing the need for regional alignment to foster trust, transparency, and sustainability in innovation.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, H.E. Satvinder Singh, highlighted that technology must serve as a driver of shared prosperity and inclusion. He reaffirmed ASEAN’s role in advancing cross-border digital cooperation, strengthening institutional readiness, and accelerating growth of the regional digital economy.
The summit also featured the Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) Dialogue, which showcased the role of data platforms, automation, and clean-energy integration in driving industrial competitiveness while reducing emissions. Discussions on green-electron trade, industrial decarbonisation, and nuclear readiness reflected ASEAN’s commitment to sustainable energy and resilient growth.
The Powering the Intelligent Age Summit concluded with a strong call for cross-sector collaboration in shaping ASEAN’s digital and energy futures. It underscored how artificial intelligence and industrial sustainability will jointly define the region’s competitiveness in the global economy.
The Ministry of Digital reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to aligning its national digital ambitions with ASEAN’s sustainability and inclusivity goals. Partnerships with global industry leaders such as Microsoft highlight Malaysia’s vision to position itself as a sustainable digital hub — fostering innovation, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility for a trusted and secure digital future.