Building a Common Framework for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in Asia

As AI transformation unfolds unevenly across Asia, there is an urgent need for a shared governance framework to build trust among stakeholders. Different countries have varying agendas: South Korea focuses on chip dominance, Singapore on being a 'pace-setter,' and China on sovereign control. India, positioned as a leader in the Global South, advocates for a 'human-centric' approach. A trusted AI ecosystem requires foundational layers like representative data infrastructure, resilient AI infrastructure, and widespread AI literacy. A regional framework would ensure technological progress translates into inclusive human development while mitigating risks like misinformation and deepfakes.

Key Points

  • AI governance must balance innovation with accountability to prevent risks like misinformation and debt traps.
  • India's AI Governance Guidelines (November) and South Korea's AI Basic Act (January 2026) are key regional legislative steps.
  • A common framework should be interoperable with global norms, such as UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
  • Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) serves as a critical anchor for representative and high-quality data infrastructure.
  • The AI Impact Summit offers an opportunity to advance a shared framework that minimizes risks while realizing AI's promise.

Exam Facts

  • South Korea’s AI Basic Act came into force on January 22, 2026.
  • UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and ISO 42001/42005 are global standards mentioned.
  • India announced its AI Governance Guidelines in November 2025.

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All current affairs of 16 February 2026