Southeast Asia Takes Hands-Off Approach to AI Regulation Compared to EU's Push for Stringent Rules

Southeast Asian countries are taking a business-friendly, hands-off approach to AI regulation compared to the EU's push for stringent, harmonized rules.

The confidential ASEAN "guide to AI ethics" asks companies to consider cultural differences and doesn't prescribe risk categories.

Executives say the flexible approach limits compliance burden, allows innovation, and aligns with other frameworks like the US NIST guidelines.

ASEAN officials are optimistic about AI benefits and believe the EU pushed regulation too fast before harms/benefits fully understood.

EU will keep engaging Asia to align on basic principles, though struggles to build global consensus compared to its data protection laws.