ISEAS Perspective: What is Shaping Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Policies in Southeast Asia?

In recent years, ASEAN has intensified its efforts to establish guardrails for the entire AI lifecycle —from design to deployment | Picture: Designed by FreePik. Accessed February 19, 2026.

In this report published by NYSEAN Partner ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Kristina Fong asserts that over the past few years, countries in Southeast Asia have made significant efforts to formulate guardrails around Artificial Intelligence (AI) design, deployment, and usage.

Kristina Fong is Lead Researcher (Economic Affairs) of the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.