The ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, in partnership with the Asia Foundation and Stanford University's Institute of Human-Centered AI, hosted a side event titled "Human-Centered Adoption of AI in ASEAN." This event, held on June 3, 2024, was part of the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology & Innovation (AMMSTI-20), the 85th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology & Innovation (COSTI-85), and related meetings running from June 3-7, 2024 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The event was presided over by H.E. Hul Seingheng, Undersecretary of State of Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) and Chairman of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation, and attended by 157 participants, including representatives from ASEAN member states and ASEAN-US scientists and technologists.

Discussions at the event focused on emerging AI technologies and the challenges they pose, the necessity for AI tools and knowledge, and the development of policy and governance guidelines for responsible AI adoption. Key topics included ensuring fairness and trustworthiness in AI, and strategies to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks of AI technology for all ASEAN member states.