The UK is partnering with Malaysia to host the UK-ASEAN AI
Innovation Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
This is the biggest event the UK is hosting with Malaysia during
its ASEAN Chair year, underlining the UK's ambition to elevate
its AI partnership with Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region as a
catalyst for growth.
The opening of the three-day Summit was attended by , Minister for the
Indo-Pacific at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development
Office, Malaysia's Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo and
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.
Over 120 regional delegates across government, academia, industry
and civil society convened to discuss and advance shared
priorities in AI, which will support ASEAN's strategic ambitions,
as well as respective national and regional AI ecosystem.
At the opening today, Minister Malhotra said:
Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship has set a bold and exciting agenda,
putting digital innovation and artificial intelligence at the
heart of ASEAN's growth.
ASEAN and the UK can do more together. The UK is committed to
being a trusted partner for this region. There are many
opportunities for research, innovation, and building commercial
partnerships that strengthen our economies
The UK is a committed Dialogue Partner to ASEAN including in the
areas of tech and AI. This multilateral summit focused on
Business and Innovation partnerships, creating opportunities for
collaboration between UK and ASEAN businesses in AI technology
development and implementation.
The summit also explored AI solutions to enhance efficiency and
accessibility of government and public service across ASEAN
nations. In addition, the event showcased frameworks for ethical
AI implementation that balance innovation with appropriate
safeguards aligned to the ASEAN Responsible AI
Roadmap.
Tech and digital is also a key pillar of the UK-Malaysia
Strategic Partnership agreed by Prime Minister and Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim in January 2025.
Minister Gobind said:
Malaysia is building an AI ecosystem that is innovative, trusted,
and connected to the region and the world. The challenge before
us is not about who reaches the frontier first, but how we get
there responsibly, inclusively, and for shared prosperity.
Malaysia stands ready to partner with the UK to co-innovate,
co-invest, and co-lead in the AI era, ensuring that artificial
intelligence becomes a true driver of growth for all.
Minister Malhotra is currently on her first overseas visit to
Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore since being appointed the Minister
for Indo-Pacific in September. Her visit aims to build enduring
relationships across the three Commonwealth partners and fellow
members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
During her visit to Malaysia, Minister Malhotra also met Deputy
Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad bin Alamin and interim Natural
Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Johari Abdul
Ghani. A climate adaptation project launch and engagement with
university students rounded up her programme in Malaysia.
