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Country Spotlights 06 Oct 2026

The Second-Mover Advantage: What the Philippines Can Learn from Vietnam’s AI Law

As the Philippines drafts its omnibus Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act (AIDRA), it faces a fragmented, agency-by-agency regulatory landscape. This article examines Vietnam’s pioneering AI law and broader regional trends and proposes how Philippine policymakers can leverage a second-mover advantage to build a coherent and practical governance framework.

Country Spotlights 18 Sep 2026

Governance Meets Reality: Singapore’s Evolving Tech Governance

Country Spotlights 15 Sep 2026

Governance Meets Reality: Malaysia’s Evolving Tech Governance

Country Spotlights 15 Sep 2026

ASEAN’s 11th Member: Charting Timor-Leste’s Digital Future

Country insights

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Governance Meets Reality: Singapore’s Evolving Tech Governance

In the last of our six-part country spotlight series under Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6, Lim How Khang, Assistant Professor of Law and Computer Science (Practice); Director, BSc (Computing & Law) Programme, Singapore Management University, examines how Singapore’s tech governance landscape is evolving at mid-2026.

Assurance as Infrastructure: How Singapore Governs AI in Practice

As Singapore’s AI ecosystem continues to expand rapidly, regulatory frameworks are evolving to keep pace with new risks and opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI). This article examines Singapore’s distinctive tech governance architecture and explores how combining enforceable legal baselines, targeted interventions, and measurable AI assurance can build a safe and resilient digital economy even without an overarching AI law.

Online Harms, Part II: Designing Redress That Works in Practice

The effectiveness of redress mechanisms, such as Singapore’s forthcoming Online Safety Commission, depends not only on procedural design but also on whether they provide credible, responsive pathways for those reporting harm. This article is part of a Reporting Online Harms series, which examines barriers to reporting and explores how policy responses can reduce – rather than compound – the challenges survivors face.

Online Harms, Part I: The Hidden Barriers to Reporting Online Abuse

Despite the serious impact of online harms, many survivors struggle to report them. This article is part of a Reporting Online Harms series, which adopts a behavioural insights lens to unpack the barriers to reporting and explores how policy responses can reduce–rather than compound–the challenges survivors face.

From Communication to Connection: Learnings from Tech-Enabled Public Projects

Drawing from a presentation at GovInsider Live MY.AI Day in Putrajaya, Malaysia, this article by Ming Tan, Senior Fellow and Founding Executive Director at the Tech for Good Institute, and Angeline Tong, Co-founder and Chief Experience Officer at HOL, examines how digital technologies are reshaping government-citizen relationships from communication to connection and motivation at scale.

Understanding Online Harms and the Threat Ecosystem

Online harms encompass a broad and evolving set of behaviours that go beyond what is prohibited by criminal law. This article is part of a “Trust & Safety as Response to Online Harms” series which unpacks the concept of online harms, analyses the threat and response ecosystems, and argues that durable solutions depend on a coordinated, whole-of-society framework.

From Motivation to Action: Building Future-Ready Citizens Through Lifelong Learning

In this article, Dr Charmaine Tan highlights that lifelong learning is as much a behavioural challenge as a policy one. Drawing on evidence from Singapore, the article discusses how psychological barriers, information gaps, and a lack of employer support prevent turning motivation into action. It also outlines how better design can help close the confidence gap and build a more resilient workforce.

Fighting online harms for a safer digital space in Singapore.

To enhance online safety in Singapore, the government has enacted several laws and collaborated with stakeholders across sectors to raise public awareness and encourage action. In this article, Carol Soon from the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore calls for updated regulations, clearer citizen communication, and minimum platform standards to ensure transparency and effective redress.

Understanding the Scam Ecosystem: Perspectives from Singapore

Transnational "cheating ecosystems" are among Asia's most complex law enforcement challenges, exploiting gaps in cross-border enforcement. Singapore is no exception. This article analyses Singapore’s whole-of-government response and shares strategic recommendations for a "demand side" shift toward building victim resilience.
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Governance Meets Reality: Malaysia’s Evolving Tech Governance

In the fifth of our six-part country spotlight series under Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6, Farlina Said of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, examines how Malaysia's tech governance landscape is evolving at mid-2026.

The Balancing Act: Harmonising AI Development and Governance in Southeast Asia

In this article, Malaysia’s national centre driving the adoption and governance of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) provides a regional overview of AI governance and safety approaches, followed by a deep dive into Malaysia’s AI safety and governance efforts. This article is the first part of a two-part series examining ASEAN’s AI safety and governance landscape.

Governing Malaysia’s E-Commerce: Navigating Growth, Competition, and Consumer Protection

As Malaysia’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly, regulatory frameworks are evolving to keep pace with new risks and opportunities in e-commerce. This article examines the ongoing policy reforms aimed at strengthening consumer protection, enhancing market accountability, and improving competition, and explores what these changes mean for building a more balanced, inclusive, and secure digital marketplace.

Rethinking Tech Diplomacy for Small and Medium Powers

As artificial intelligence, cross-border data flows, and digital public infrastructure increasingly shape foreign policy, diplomacy is being reshaped to encompass engagement with technology firms, standards-setting bodies, and multistakeholder institutions. Drawing on the case of Malaysia, this article argues that effective tech diplomacy for small and medium powers requires a whole-of-government approach that aligns domestic policy priorities with international engagement.

When Platforms Become Policy Infrastructure — Driving Practical Implementation

In this commentary, Dr. Wan Khatina Nawawi, Managing Director of EconWorks Advisory, reflects on insights from the Digital Platforms for Public Benefit roundtable organised by TFGI and PIKOM in Malaysia in November 2025, examining how platform-government collaboration is reshaping policy implementation and why managing the trust, accountability, and privacy trilemma is central to building durable platform-enabled governance.

Securing the Future Harvest: Financial Innovation as Malaysia’s Food Security Imperative

In this article, Arifah Sharifuddin, Institute Director at Tech for Good Institute, outlines how Malaysia’s food security goals hinge on easing financial and risk barriers for smallholders.

Malaysia’s Efforts Against Transnational Scams

While Malaysia has strengthened its defences against scams through the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) and the Cybersecurity Act 2024, there are areas of improvement for enforcement to keep pace with rapid technological adaptation. In this article, Sheila Devi Michael, Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaya, examines this shifting landscape and argues that protecting the region's digital economy requires a dual approach of stronger regulatory frameworks and sustained international cooperation.

Malaysia’s role in AI Safety in Southeast Asia

The 2025 global pivot from AI safety to rapid acceleration is placing new pressure on Southeast Asia, creating a critical gap between the push for technological supremacy and the need for collective regional governance. This article, republished from Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR), explores the necessity of regional cooperation to combat transboundary AI risks, and Malaysia's pivotal role as ASEAN Chair in 2025.

Rules in Action: Malaysia’s Evolving Tech Governance

For the next part of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Farlina Said of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia unpacks the key developments shaping Malaysia's tech landscape in 2025. Key developments include the implementation of the Cybersecurity Act to centralise cybersecurity leadership and the establishment of the National AI Office (NAIO) to institutionalise AI governance.

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Beyond Credit Access: Regulatory Gaps in Thailand’s Data-Driven Finance for MSMEs

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) drive Thailand’s economy, yet credit gaps and collateral shortfalls severely constrain their growth. In response, the Bank of Thailand launched its "Three Opens" financial reform. This article examines the initiative's data-driven approach, identifies key regulatory bottlenecks, and offers policy recommendations to build a more inclusive digital finance ecosystem.

Governance Meets Reality: Thailand’s Evolving Tech Governance

In the first of our six-part country spotlight series under Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6, Anont Tanaset, Senior Policy Specialist at the Office of the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), examines how Thailand’s tech governance landscape is evolving at mid-2026.

Advancing Platform Governance in Thailand: Developing a Comprehensive Framework for Fairness and User Protection

Digital platform regulation is among Southeast Asia’s most pressing economic challenges, driven by rapid market expansion and the need to balance innovation with oversight. Thailand is no exception. This article explores Thailand’s ambitious draft Platform Economy Act (PEA), the stakeholder debate surrounding its EU-inspired approach, and shares strategic recommendations for Thai policymakers.

Protecting Consumers in Thailand from Online Scams and Fraud

Online fraud has become a critical battleground in Thailand, with over one million reported cases causing substantial financial loss and eroding public trust. In this article, Nisara Kaewsuk, Sujitra Sompan, Chotiwit Kerdsanongpong, and Munin Saisangchan from the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) examine these legislative developments and advocate for integrated prevention strategies to ensure digital safety and justice for consumers.

Rules in Action: Thailand’s Evolving Tech Governance

In the first part of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia for 2025, Anont Tanaset, Policy Specialist at the Office of the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), examines Thailand's tech governance landscape for the first half of 2025.

Interested to read the full summary of our Tech Regulation insights across Southeast Asia? Subscribe to the Tech for Good Institute mailing list to receive the latest research, insights, and updates.

What Thailand’s Earthquake Reveals About Tech, Trust, and Readiness

The March 2025 earthquake shook Thailand's disaster systems into awareness. This article explores how digital innovation and citizen-led resilience can reshape the country's preparedness.

Fit-for-Purpose Digital Platform Regulations: Navigating Thailand’s Economic Future

As Thailand navigates economic challenges and an increasingly dynamic digital landscape, Jirawat Poomsrikaew explores the urgent need for fit-for-purpose digital platform regulations that balance innovation, competitiveness, and public interest, laying the foundation for a resilient, forward-looking digital economy.

Navigating Thailand’s AI Law: Development at a Crossroads

In this article, Khemmapat Trisadikoon and Wichayada Umponkitviwat, researchers at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), explore Thailand's evolving AI policy landscape. Through an examination of the legal frameworks surrounding AI, emerging regulatory trends, and the critical issues shaping the country's approach to AI governance, this article offers insights into the future of AI development in Thailand.

Read the Thai version of this article.

Shaping the Digital Future: Regulatory Updates from Thailand

In this first of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Anont Tanaset, Policy Specialist at the Office of the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), guides us through Thailand's tech governance landscape in the first half of 2024.

Read the Thai version of this article.

Interested to read the full summary of our Tech Regulation insights across Southeast Asia? Subscribe to the Tech for Good Institute mailing list to receive the latest research, insights, and updates.

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Governance Meets Reality: Indonesia’s Evolving Tech Governance

In the second of our six-part country spotlight series under Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6, Ajisatria Suleiman, Regulatory Expert and Associate Researcher at the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies, examines how Indonesia’s tech governance landscape is evolving at mid-2026.

Consolidation Without Completion: Indonesia’s AI Developments in 2026

As Indonesia navigates delayed regulatory rollouts and massive infrastructure scaling, its pragmatic "middle path" offers a distinct blueprint for AI governance for the region.

From Decree to Delivery: Orchestrating a Safer Digital Architecture for Indonesia

Indonesia is positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s most assertive regulator of children’s digital lives, shifting from passive concern to active state intervention in child online protection. This article examines three pillars—independent oversight, privacy-preserving age verification, and centralised reporting—to turn its landmark regulation into a replicable regional model.

How Indonesia Is Building AI Sovereignty Through the AI Talent Factory

In this article, Mochamad Azhar explores how Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital is strengthening national AI capabilities through the AI Talent Factory, a programme designed to train AI engineers and support the country’s push toward AI sovereignty.

This article was first published by GovInsider.

Strengthening Indonesia’s Regulatory and Coordination Framework to Address Online Frauds and Scams

Online fraud represents a critical socio-economic threat to Indonesia, inflicting substantial financial losses and eroding trust in the digital ecosystem. Indonesia's exposure is exacerbated by structural vulnerabilities and an institutional framework that has yet to fully adapt to modern digital threats. This article examines regulatory gaps in data governance and inter-agency coordination, offering four concrete priorities for policymakers to modernise consumer protection, centralise victim support, and deepen regional collaboration.

Rules in Action: Indonesia’s Evolving Tech Governance

As part of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Hafiz Noer and M. Irfan Dwi Putra of the Center for Digital Society, Universitas Gadjah Mada unpack the key developments shaping Indonesia's tech landscape in 2025. Key developments include the issuance of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas) to embed child protection into platform regulation, the introduction of a National AI Roadmap to expand AI policy and talent development, and efforts to build a resilient digital government through institutional and legal reforms.

Digital Transformation: Building Future-Ready Government and Policy

Digital technology is transforming how governments serve their citizens. In this article, Chairul Saleh, Assistant Deputy for Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, explores how Indonesia is leveraging digitalisation, innovative policies, and public-private partnerships to deliver more efficient, inclusive, and citizen-centred public services.

Indonesia’s AI Crossroads: Will Hype Deliver Real Transformation?

As AI adoption accelerates across Indonesia, the real test lies not in innovation alone, but in the country's ability to build coherent policies, talent pipelines, and governance frameworks that serve the public good.

Strengthening Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Framework

Adinova Fauri, a researcher at Indonesia's Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), explores the progress and challenges in implementing the country's Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law, highlighting key gaps that remain in the regulatory framework. This article expands on previous analyses of the PDP Law and provides the latest updates on its development.

Read the Bahasa Indonesia version of this article.

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Vietnam’s AI Strategy: Aligning Aspirations with Adaptive Governance

Vietnam has elevated AI to a national mission through its updated AI Strategy and forthcoming AI Law. In this article, Professor Vu Minh Khuong examines how Vietnam can translate bold aspirations into adaptive governance and sustained AI-driven development.

Awareness Vaccine for Vietnam’s “Perfect Storm” of Online Scams

Vietnam is facing a "perfect storm" of online scams, driven by rapid digital adoption, sophisticated AI-driven tactics, and deep psychological manipulation. This article explores this psychological war and shares strategic recommendations for building a "human firewall" through a national "awareness vaccine."

Rules in Action: Vietnam’s Evolving Tech Governance

For the next part of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Dr. Nguyen Minh Thao of the National Institute for Economics and Finance (NIEF), Vietnam, unpacks the key developments shaping Vietnam's tech landscape in the first half of 2025. Key developments include the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) to establish a solid legal foundation for data security, and a significant organisational restructuring that merged the Ministry of Information and Communications with the Ministry of Science and Technology to enhance enforcement.

Building Digital Resilience: Lessons from Vietnam

Online scams are among Southeast Asia's most urgent digital threats, driven by rapid internet adoption and weak cross-border enforcement. Vietnam is no exception, with losses estimated at billions of dollars annually and growing concerns for national security. In this article, Quynh Nguyen, Chief Researcher at ChongLuaDao (CLD), explores Vietnam's grassroots, tech-driven response and shares strategic recommendations for ASEAN policymakers.

Improving the Regulatory Framework for Tech Governance: The Key to Achieving High Growth in Vietnam

Breakthroughs in technology and digital transformation are set to drive Vietnam's economic growth. In this article, Dr. Nguyen Minh Thao, Former Head of Business Environment and Competitiveness Research at CIEM, and Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet, expert in Public Policy at VNU explore the need for a regulatory framework to foster innovation.

Read the Vietnamese version of this article.

Shaping the Digital Future: Regulatory Updates from Vietnam

In the third part of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Dr. Thao Nguyen Minh from Vietnam's Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) delves deeply into Vietnam's tech governance landscape for the first half of 2024.

Read the Vietnamese version of this article.

Interested to read the full summary of our Tech Regulation insights across Southeast Asia? Subscribe to the Tech for Good Institute mailing list to receive the latest research, insights, and updates.

Promoting the Digital Economy: Enhancing Regulatory Policy for Digital Intermediary Services in Vietnam

Digital intermediary services play an integral role in the digital economy and have become familiar to users in Vietnam, significantly contributing to economic growth. In this article, Nguyen Quang Dong and Nguyen Lan Phuong from the Institute for Policy Studies and Media Development (IPS) explore the current regulatory policies for digital intermediary services in Vietnam and provide recommendations for fostering a more dynamic and efficient digital economy.

Read the Vietnamese version of this article.

Advancing Vietnam’s Digital Economy: Embracing Regulatory Sandboxes

Regulatory sandboxes are seen as pivotal tools to foster innovation while managing risks, yet their establishment in Vietnam faces hurdles and holds promise for the future. In this article, Dr. Thao Nguyen Minh from Vietnam's Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) sheds light on Vietnam's regulatory sandbox scene and her recommendations to better foster regulatory innovation. Read the Vietnamese version of this article.

Prioritising Education and Awareness to Achieve Cyber Resilience: Insights from Vietnam

In this article, Vladimir Mariano, Lead Faculty for Technology and Innovation at YSEALI Academy at Fulbright University Vietnam highlights the importance of education in Vietnam's cyber resilience journey. This article builds on the Tech For Good Institute's latest research on Cyber Resilience.

Read the Vietnamese version of this article.
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The Second-Mover Advantage: What the Philippines Can Learn from Vietnam’s AI Law

As the Philippines drafts its omnibus Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act (AIDRA), it faces a fragmented, agency-by-agency regulatory landscape. This article examines Vietnam’s pioneering AI law and broader regional trends and proposes how Philippine policymakers can leverage a second-mover advantage to build a coherent and practical governance framework.

Governance Meets Reality: Philippines’ Evolving Tech Governance

In the fourth of our six-part country spotlight series under Tech Governance in Southeast Asia-6, Pierre Tito Galla, co-founder and co-convener, Democracy.Net.PH, examines how the Philippines' tech governance landscape is evolving at mid-2026.

A Grounded Approach to Scam Prevention in the Philippines

In this article, Jocel De Guzman, Co-Founder of Scam Watch Pilipinas, details how the Philippines can create a culturally-relevant and community-driven approach to build resilience against scams in the Philippines. In addition, a unified national anti-scam policy framework can help to scale this people-centred defence.

Digital Tech Adoption Incentives to Unlock the Next Growth Frontier of the IT-BPM Sector

The Philippines’ IT-BPM sector is growing strongly, but the next growth frontier will come from innovation enabled by advanced digital technologies, such as cloud, AI, analytics, and secure cross-border data systems. These capabilities can help firms move beyond routine outsourcing into innovation-driven partnerships. In this article, the writers explore how targeted digital adoption incentives, structured knowledge partnerships, and clear data governance can support this transition. This article builds upon the 2025 study on the Philippine IT-BPM sector.

Platforms of Progress: How Digital Platforms Are Reshaping Service Delivery In The Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the Philippines’ digital transformation, compelling a strategic shift toward digital platforms for public benefit. Key thought leaders recently convened to discuss leveraging these platforms beyond commerce to enhance governance and social inclusion. In this article, Monchito Ibrahim, Lead Convenor of ATIN, explores how public-private partnerships are streamlining aid, expanding education, and empowering MSMEs, and shares strategic recommendations for building an inclusive, citizen-centric digital state.

Enabling a Digital Future that Works for Every Filipino

This article is based on the opening remarks given by Assistant Secretary Celine Dee at the Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia: Spotlight on the Philippines, held on 24 July 2025, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Rules in Action: the Philippines’ Evolving Tech Governance

For the next part of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Pierre Tito Galla of Democracy.Net.PH unpacks the key developments shaping the Philippines' tech landscape in 2025. Key developments include the enactment of the Konektadong Pinoy (Connected Filipino) Act to encourage investment and competition in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, and the continued rollout of the e-Gov SuperApp to digitalise government services.

Shaping the Digital Future: Regulatory Updates from the Philippines

In this fourth of our 6-part series on Tech Governance in Southeast Asia, Francis Mark A. Quimba, Senior Research Fellow, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, guides us through the Philippines' tech governance landscape in the first half of 2024.

Interested to read the full summary of our Tech Regulation insights across Southeast Asia? Subscribe to the Tech for Good Institute mailing list to receive the latest research, insights, and updates.

Accelerating Innovation: The Philippines’ Journey with Regulatory Sandboxes

This article is written by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines and guides us through the Philippines' journey with regulatory sandboxes and their pivotal role in driving sustainable growth and competitiveness in the digital age.
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ASEAN’s 11th Member: Charting Timor-Leste’s Digital Future

Admission as ASEAN's 11th member offers Timor-Leste a clear pathway to diversify beyond oil through the digital economy. However, infrastructure gaps, high internet costs, and low digital literacy threaten to stall progress. This article examines the structural hurdles and strategic opportunities defining Timor-Leste's regional integration.

What does the World Cup teach Southeast Asia About Its Digital Future

AI can level the playing field, but technology alone never guarantees success. Using the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a lens, this article explores how football serves as a practical policy laboratory—revealing how nations must pair AI access with deep investments in talent, institutions, and local innovation ecosystems to build lasting digital capability.

How AI Levels the Playing Field for Small Businesses

As AI adoption unfolds across ASEAN, early ecosystem-based interventions are critical to prevent market dominance by large enterprises. This article explores how policymakers can level the playing field to support Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at varying stages of maturity.

Beyond Credit Access: Regulatory Gaps in Thailand’s Data-Driven Finance for MSMEs

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) drive Thailand’s economy, yet credit gaps and collateral shortfalls severely constrain their growth. In response, the Bank of Thailand launched its "Three Opens" financial reform. This article examines the initiative's data-driven approach, identifies key regulatory bottlenecks, and offers policy recommendations to build a more inclusive digital finance ecosystem.

Keeping Creativity Human: How AI and Art should coexist in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia (SEA)'s arts and technology ecosystem is uniquely shaped by tradition, modernity, and rapid digital evolution. Drawing on the British Council's latest research into these regional trends, this article explores how AI and art should coexist in Southeast Asia through targeted policy frameworks that protect human authorship and preserve cultural memory.

The Architecture of Inclusion: Balancing Southeast Asia’s AI Infrastructure Boom

AI infrastructure is becoming a decisive layer of Southeast Asia’s digital competitiveness, influencing how countries attract investment, support innovation, and expand access to advanced digital tools. The region’s next priority is to ensure that cloud, compute, connectivity, and data systems strengthen inclusive, trusted, and sustainable growth.

Beyond Technology: Building the Foundations for Sustainable Digital Development

Digital innovation can drive sustainable development for Southeast Asia. But the pursuit of technological progress as the end of innovation comes with tangible risks. This article explores principles for harnessing digital innovation rooted in protecting human dignity, giving voice to vulnerable communities, and caring for the environment. It adapts findings from the digital innovation track facilitated by the Tech for Good Institute at the Global Sustainable Development Conference held in Jakarta Indonesia.

The Data Pillar Problem: Why ASEAN’s Compliance Frameworks Are Outpacing Enterprise Data Readiness

The data governance landscape across Southeast Asian (SEA) nations is advancing rapidly. However, a widening gap has opened between these accelerating regulatory frameworks and actual enterprise readiness.

The Balancing Act: Harmonising AI Development and Governance in Southeast Asia

In this article, Malaysia’s national centre driving the adoption and governance of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) provides a regional overview of AI governance and safety approaches, followed by a deep dive into Malaysia’s AI safety and governance efforts. This article is the first part of a two-part series examining ASEAN’s AI safety and governance landscape.

Featured Authors

HN

Hafiz Noer is a Fellow at the Centre for Digital Society, Universitas Gadjah Mada. His research focuses on the intersection of science, technology, and innovation policy. His upcoming publications explore smart city governance, symbolic participation, and government-led innovation in Jakarta.

Read insights by Hafiz Noer

DO

Dr. Eric J. W. Orlowski is a Research Fellow at the NUS AI Institute, working on AI governance, policy, and the social conditions of AI development and deployment. Trained in Science and Technology Studies and ethnographic research, his work focuses on making AI governance practical and context-sensitive. He currently leads research on cultural alignment in AI systems, examining how developers can assess whether systems are appropriate, meaningful, and useful across deployment settings.

Read insights by Dr. Eric J. W. Orlowski

BJ

Bryan Yeoh Quan Jin is the Senior Manager for Strategy and Knowledge Leadership at MYCentre4IR hosted by MyDIGITAL Corporation.

Read insights by Bryan Yeoh Quan Jin

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Perspectives 28 Aug 2026

What does the World Cup teach Southeast Asia About Its Digital Future

Perspectives 28 Aug 2026

How AI Levels the Playing Field for Small Businesses

Perspectives 14 Aug 2026

Keeping Creativity Human: How AI and Art should coexist in Southeast Asia

Perspectives 12 Aug 2026

The Architecture of Inclusion: Balancing Southeast Asia’s AI Infrastructure Boom

Perspectives 29 Jul 2026

Beyond Technology: Building the Foundations for Sustainable Digital Development

Perspectives 10 Jul 2026

The Data Pillar Problem: Why ASEAN’s Compliance Frameworks Are Outpacing Enterprise Data Readiness

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Country Spotlights 06 Oct 2026

The Second-Mover Advantage: What the Philippines Can Learn from Vietnam’s AI Law

Country Spotlights 18 Sep 2026

Governance Meets Reality: Singapore’s Evolving Tech Governance

Country Spotlights 15 Sep 2026

Governance Meets Reality: Malaysia’s Evolving Tech Governance

Country Spotlights 15 Sep 2026

ASEAN’s 11th Member: Charting Timor-Leste’s Digital Future

Country Spotlights 07 Sep 2026

Governance Meets Reality: Philippines’ Evolving Tech Governance

Country Spotlights 28 Aug 2026

Governance Meets Reality: Vietnam’s Evolving Tech Governance

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Mouna Aouri

Programme Fellow

Mouna Aouri is an Institute Fellow at the Tech For Good Institute. As a social entrepreneur, impact investor, and engineer, her experience spans over two decades in the MENA region, South East Asia, and Japan. She is founder of Woomentum, a Singapore-based platform dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in APAC through skill development and access to growth capital through strategic collaborations with corporate entities, investors and government partners.

Dr Ming Tan

Senior Fellow & Founding Executive Director

Dr Ming Tan is Senior Fellow at the Tech for Good Institute; where she served as founding Executive Director of the non-profit focused on research and policy at the intersection of technology, society and the economy in Southeast Asia. She is concurrently a Senior Fellow at and the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore and Advisor to the Founder of the COMO Group, a Singaporean portfolio of lifestyle companies operating in 15 countries worldwide. Ming was previously Managing Director of IPOS International, part of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. Prior to joining the public sector, she was Head of Stewardship of the COMO Group.


Ming also serves on the boards of several private companies, Singapore’s National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), and on the Digital and Technology Advisory Panel for Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts centre. Her current portfolio spans philanthropy, social impact, sustainability and innovation.