The ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 Youth Caucus successfully brought together over 80 youth delegates from 10 ASEAN member states to Kuala Lumpur, turning MITEC into a vibrant hub of dialogue, collaboration, and vision for the region’s digital future.

Organised by KiniEvents and the Malaysian Institute for Development of Professionals (MIDP), in partnership with Google, MyDIGITAL Corporation, the National AI Office, and Khazanah Research Institute, the regional roundtable was held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, with Malaysiakini and KiniTV as official media partners.

Joining this session were YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Digital, Mr Shakib Ahmad Shakir Bin Jamaluddin, Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic & Management), Ministry of Digital, Arianne Santoso, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager at Google, Dr Lee Vee Meng, Director of Policy, National AI Office Malaysia, Premesh Chandran, Co-Founder of Malaysiakini, Emellia Shariff, CEO of Malaysian Institute for Development of Professionals (MIDP) and Dr Jun-E Tan, Senior Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute.

ASEAN youth call for inclusive, ethical, and sustainable AI

The roundtable united youth delegates and speakers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to tackle issues ranging from digital inclusion to disaster preparedness. They exchanged country perspectives on the need for risk-based, sector-specific AI frameworks, inclusive AI literacy programmes to raise awareness, strategies for bias mitigation, and approaches to address environmental concerns.

“Today’s discussion has given real energy to this important conversation. As Malaysia takes on the ASEAN chairmanship this year, we are committed to driving responsible AI forward. Our vision is clear—AI must be transparent, trustworthy, and grounded in ASEAN values. Above all, we must empower youth to play a central role in shaping policies and co-creating the region’s digital future,” said YB Datuk Wilson.

“While many of us use AI, the real challenge lies in knowing how much to rely on it and how to frame our questions thoughtfully. What matters is that we continue to experiment, develop, and grow — always remembering that human judgment must remain at the centre,” said Shakib.

Premesh Chandran highlighted the bigger picture: “ASEAN stands to unlock up to USD 1 trillion in economic impact through AI by 2030 — but this opportunity also brings important ethical and social challenges. That’s why the voices of youth matter: their fresh ideas, bold perspectives, and passion are vital in shaping a future where AI benefits all.”

Confidence, courage, and inclusivity

For Emelia Shariff, confidence is not about having all the right answers, but about the courage to speak up, exchange ideas, and grow together. Her message resonated with youth delegates as they explored how inclusivity and openness will shape ASEAN’s digital future.

Arianne Santoso added that effective policy must serve citizens at every level. She shared Google’s initiatives to bridge national and digital divides by partnering with governments, addressing real needs, and leveraging Malaysia’s existing strengths—an approach that aligned seamlessly with the youth caucus’s goals of inclusive growth.

Youth proposals: Grounded, Diverse, and Practical

“Delegates presented proposals spanning governance, education, finance, and sector-specific applications. What stood out was how proposals identified existing initiatives, gaps, and key industry stakeholders who could drive implementation. Clear, concise, and rooted in real-world application, they showed both promise and practicality,” said Dr Jun-E Tan.

Building AI literacy and trust

Delegates also tackled the risks of misinformation, scams, and deepfakes. From the Philippines’ struggles with fake content to Brunei’s efforts in AI education, the message was consistent: every citizen—whether student or retiree—must be equipped with digital literacy to safeguard themselves.

As Dr Lee Vee Meng noted, “Adoption matters. Whether it’s Singapore’s traffic management, Laos’ disaster response, or Malaysia’s work on local language solutions, what we see is AI being used to strengthen local capabilities. That’s the direction ASEAN must continue.”

A shared responsibility

For many delegates, the roundtable was more than a discussion — it was a call to action. Cambodian representatives Ek Sokunmealea and Chheang Yuki Lisa stressed the importance of getting more youth involved, while Filipino delegates Raoul Danniel Abellar Manuel and Clint West Autida urged their peers to seize this moment:

“Regardless of where we come from, we share not only challenges but also opportunities to make a difference.”

Their words echoed the spirit of the event: youth are not just participants in the AI era — they are co-creators of its ethical foundation.

From policy blueprints to grassroots ideas, the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 Youth Caucus proved that the region’s young leaders are ready to shape a future that is ethical, inclusive, and bold. Now it’s your turn to amplify their voices—cast your vote for the Best Country Position.

Voting is open now until 12 September 2025 at https://mk.my/YC-voting. The winning team will be announced on our official event website at https://www.youthdebathon.my/youthcaucus/.

If you missed this event, stay tuned for our next one from KiniEvents.

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