The Urgent Case for Sovereign Artificial Intelligence
As AI technologies become more accessible, emerging economies are facing a critical decision: build sovereign AI systems or risk becoming overly dependent on global tech giants. This debate took center stage during the CNBC East Tech West conference in Thailand, where experts emphasized that developing countries must take control of their data, models, and digital infrastructure.
What Does “Sovereign AI” Really Mean?
Sovereign AI refers to a nation’s ability to independently manage its AI development, from language models to data governance. It’s about aligning AI with local values, languages, and cultures, rather than merely adapting English-based models from foreign platforms.
Kasima Tarnpipitchai, AI strategy head at SCB 10X, pointed out that how people think, speak, and perceive the world changes with language, making localization essential for equitable AI access.
ASEAN’s Advantage: A Young, Connected Population
With over 700 million residents and 61% under the age of 35, the ASEAN region is uniquely positioned to develop sovereign AI. Every day, 125,000 new users connect to the internet, creating fertile ground for digital transformation.
Amazon’s ASEAN Managing Director, Jeff Johnson, stated, “We’re focused on democratizing access to cloud and AI technologies to empower businesses of all sizes.”
Open-Source AI: The Key to Digital Sovereignty
A recurring theme at the conference was the importance of open-source AI. Tarnpipitchai noted that collaborative innovation, not proprietary models, will fuel Asia’s AI success. Open-source platforms offer flexibility, transparency, and community-driven development — vital for emerging economies with limited resources.
Major players in the open-source AI space include Meta and China’s DeepSeek, who offer tools that can be tailored to local needs.
Building AI Infrastructure on Local Soil
Beyond models and language, compute localization is crucial. Pream Pavan, Red Hat’s regional VP, stressed the need for onshore cloud infrastructure to support AI workloads securely and efficiently.
Key providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Tencent Cloud, and True IDC have already launched regional operations, reducing latency and aligning with data sovereignty regulations.
Southeast Asia’s National AI Strategies
Each ASEAN country is advancing its AI agenda:
- Thailand aims to become a regional AI hub by 2027.
- Singapore launched NAIS 2.0 to integrate AI into daily life and public services.
- Vietnam targets top-50 global AI ranking by 2030.
- Indonesia has implemented privacy laws and ethical AI guidelines.
- Malaysia created a National AI Office and secured $16B in tech investments.
- Philippines rolled out its second AI roadmap, focusing on sustainability and agriculture.
Other countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are also developing AI policies, focusing on responsible governance, data privacy, and international partnerships.
Conclusion: ASEAN’s AI Future Is Local, Open, and Strategic
The future of AI in developing nations, especially in Southeast Asia, lies in building sovereign, localized systems. Through open-source collaboration, infrastructure investment, and forward-thinking policies, ASEAN is laying the groundwork for an AI ecosystem that reflects its unique cultural, linguistic, and economic landscape.
The next frontier for AI isn’t just about innovation — it’s about who owns it, who shapes it, and who benefits from it.
