Asean ministers to discuss AI threats, scams in two-day meeting in Singapore

Singapore – ASEAN members must work closely together to prevent and respond to growing cyber threats fueled by artificial intelligence (AI) fraud and fake news, Singapore's Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo said on Feb 1.

He was speaking at the fourth ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting for regional authorities overseeing technology on February 1 and 2. Ministers also sign agreements and discuss AI governance and ways to fight fraud regionally. To increase digital innovation and business opportunities.

The annual meeting, formerly known as the ASEAN Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministers' Meeting, is being held here at the Shangri-La Hotel for the first time in 11 years.

In her opening speech, Ms Teo, who is the Minister for Smart Nation and Cyber ​​Security, said that partnership between countries is more relevant now than ever.

„There's no doubt that (the crowd's) connection has been growing over the years,” he said.

„We welcome the opportunities of every technological advance, and we recognize the risks they bring. The current wave of digital technologies sweeping the globe has the potential to sow mistrust and deepen wrongdoing in society,” he added.

„All governments will be challenged to ensure that digital developments are built on a strong foundation of trust.”

Ms Teo cited AI-generated deepfakes as a pressing concern that could break trust in society. Singapore has recently been plagued by deepfake videos Imitation of political figures such as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Appeared to promote scams.

ASEAN countries, home to around 650 million people, have taken steps to work together to strengthen their digital economies. First regional group to fully adopt United Nations standards Ms Teo said in 2023 how states should behave in cyberspace.

The UN framework contains 11 nonbinding rules that describe what states can and cannot do in cyberspace, including cooperating to prevent crime and terrorism and not damaging critical infrastructure.

ASEAN has also agreed on a framework for sharing data across borders.

At the meeting, ministers will discuss how AI can benefit the public and ways to combat fraud, which is commonly conducted across borders, the Communications and Information Ministry said in a statement.

More details of the discussions will be announced on February 2, when a new guide to agreements between the EU and ASEAN organizations is expected to be made public. Ms Teo said the guide aims to help businesses operating in both the EU and ASEAN manage data exchange and contract negotiations.

Ms Teo said the EU is the second largest investor in ASEAN, with US$26.5 billion (S$35.5 billion) in the region by 2021.

He added that more than 14,000 European businesses have set up regional centers and headquarters in Singapore alone.

ASEAN and China will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cross-border digital connectivity and cooperation in emerging technology and cyber security.