Regulating AI Beyond the Hype: Evidence, Equity, and Policy Priorities for the Asia-Pacific

Date: Monday, Oct 13

Time: 09:00 - 10:00 (60 mins)

Session Types: Panel Discussion

This session explores pressing regulatory, ethical, and governance challenges surrounding the rapid development and deployment of AI technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. It will address concerns ranging from disinformation and surveillance to regulatory gaps in tackling algorithmic bias and managing open-source AI. Key questions include whether we are overestimating or underestimating the risks of current-generation AI; how regulation can keep pace with technological innovation without stifling progress; what unique regulatory risks arise from open-source AI in multilingual, low-supervision contexts; and how countries in the region can balance AI development with civil liberties and social equity. The session will also examine the feasibility of establishing a regional AI governance framework, akin to the EU AI Act but tailored for the Global South, and the role that industry, academia, and government can play in co-developing safety standards, public datasets, and governance infrastructure.

This session will also explore the real capabilities and limitations of current-generation AI systems, moving beyond inflated expectations to assess where AI can meaningfully deliver impact and where it remains unreliable or inappropriate. Many AI tools, particularly in sensitive areas like criminal justice, healthcare, and governance, are being deployed without sufficient scientific evidence of their effectiveness. This poses serious ethical and social risks, especially in diverse, low-resource, or digitally excluded contexts. Grounding the discussion in both scientific realities and real-world constraints, the session will seek to separate practical applications from speculative hype and ensure that policy responses are proportionate, feasible, and rooted in public interest.

Moderators/Speakers: Aadhesh Khadka, Aishwarya Salvi, Shita Laksmi, Shradhanjali Sarma, Sunil Abraham, Swati Shinde