The Governance of Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Policy Analysis of Ai Ethical guidelines in Southeast Asian Nations
Abstract
The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges for Southeast Asian nations, particularly in terms of governance and ethical considerations. While AI has the potential to drive economic growth and innovation, it also raises concerns about privacy, fairness, accountability, and transparency. However, the governance frameworks across Southeast Asia remain inconsistent, with countries at varying stages of implementing AI ethical guidelines. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of AI ethical policies across five Southeast Asian countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The research explores how these nations are addressing key ethical issues in AI governance and identifies gaps in their frameworks. A qualitative research design, using document analysis and semi-structured interviews with policymakers and experts, was employed to gather data on national AI strategies, regulations, and ethical guidelines. The findings reveal that Singapore and Malaysia have developed comprehensive and advanced AI ethics frameworks, while Indonesia and the Philippines are still in early stages of policy development. Thailand presents a balanced approach, focusing on both technological growth and social equity. The study concludes that there is a need for more coordinated AI governance in Southeast Asia to ensure responsible AI deployment that aligns with international ethical standards
Full text article
References
Abualruz , H., Yasin, I., Abu Sabra, M. A., Abunab, H. Y., Azayzeh, R., Zubidi, Y., Emad, S., & alriyati, B. (2025). The role of artificial intelligence in enhancing triage decisions in healthcare settings: A systematic review. Applied Nursing Research, 86, 152024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2025.152024
Albaroudi, E., Mansouri, T., Hatamleh, M., & Alameer, A. (2025). HitHire: The future of ethical, fair, and sustainable AI recruitment – A governance framework. Array, 100592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.array.2025.100592
Allen, L. N., Lin, J., Segal, B. M., Ndlovu, K., Bilardi, D., & Pettigrew, L. M. (2025). Artificial intelligence in primary care: Frameworks, challenges, and guardrails. The Lancet Primary Care, 100079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanprc.2025.100079
Amiot, F., & Potier, B. (2025). Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emergency Medicine: Balancing Opportunities and Challenges. JMIR Medical Informatics, 13. https://doi.org/10.2196/70903
Arza, A., Lebhar, J., & Lipoff, J. B. (2025). Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology: Ethical Considerations. Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology, 43(4), 529–540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2025.05.003
Attard-Frost, B., Brandusescu, A., & Lyons, K. (2024). The governance of artificial intelligence in Canada: Findings and opportunities from a review of 84 AI governance initiatives. Government Information Quarterly, 41(2), 101929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2024.101929
Bag, S., Rahman, M. S., Gupta, S., & Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. (2025). Artificial intelligence driven ethical procurement systems, circular economy and governance: A supplier performance analysis. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 101075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2025.101075
Baloda, S., Sharma, M., & Kumar, M. (2025). Future of humanity in an artificial intelligence centric world. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 162, 112405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2025.112405
Barrios, P. A., Meredyth, N., Morris, R., Haines, K., Kim, G. J., & Peterson, C. Y. (2025). Ethical Considerations in the Deployment of Artificial Intelligence in Surgery. Journal of Surgical Research, 315, 268–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2025.08.019
Barsekh-Onji, A., Torres Hernandez, Z., & Cardoso Espinosa, E. O. (2025). Advancing smart public administration: Challenges and benefits of artificial intelligence. Urban Governance, 5(3), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ugj.2025.06.003
Bignami, E., Darhour, L. J., Buhre, W., Cecconi, M., & Bellini, V. (2025). Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Tailoring education to meet EU AI-Act standards. Health Policy and Technology, 14(6), 101078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2025.101078
Billingsley, L., Calderon, A., & Agosta, L. (2024). Transforming Health Care: Exploring Artificial Intelligence Integration, Data Governance, and Ethical Considerations in Nursing. Journal of Radiology Nursing, 43(2), 107–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2024.04.002
Chen, Q., Wang, H., Ma, C., & Ru, P. (2025). How professionals respond to disruptive effects of artificial intelligence on their jurisdiction: The role of interactive governance. Social Science & Medicine, 386, 118626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118626
de Almeida, P. G. R., & dos Santos Júnior, C. D. (2025). Artificial intelligence governance: Understanding how public organizations implement it. Government Information Quarterly, 42(1), 102003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2024.102003
Deberdt, R., Le Billon, P., Makinde, O., Dauvergne, P., Solwati, T., Razmi, S., Kumar, G., & Belhabib, D. (2025). Artificial intelligence and ESG in resources-intensive industries: Reviewing the use of AI in fisheries, mining, plastics, and forestry. The Extractive Industries and Society, 23, 101690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2025.101690
Dhaigude, A. S., & Kamath, G. B. (2025). Mapping responsible artificial intelligence in business and management: Trends, influence, and emerging research directions. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(4), 100640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100640
El-Sayed, A., Lovat, L. B., & Ahmad, O. F. (2025). Clinical Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Gastroenterology: Current Landscape, Regulatory Challenges, and Ethical Issues. Shaping the Future of Gastroenterology and Hepatology With Artificial Intelligence, 169(3), 518–530. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2025.01.254
Ferreira, R. M. F. D., GRILO, A., & MAIA, M. (2025). Piloting a maturity model for responsible artificial intelligence: A portuguese case study. Journal of Responsible Technology, 22, 100117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrt.2025.100117
Hadzovic, S., Becirspahic, L., & Mrdovic, S. (2024). It’s time for artificial intelligence governance. Internet of Things, 27, 101292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iot.2024.101292
Haque, A. (2025). Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare: A paradigm shift in leadership and strategic management. Leadership in Health Services, 38(4), 644–656. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-01-2025-0018
Haryono, B. S., Saleh, C., & Trilaksono, H. (2025). The Impact of Road Infrastructure Development Policies on Community Quality of Life in Batam City. Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.70177/politicae.v2i1.1839
Kazerooni, A. F., Familiar, A. M., Aboian, M., Brüningk, S. C., Vossough, A., Linguraru, M. G., Huang, R. Y., Hargrave, D., Peet, A. C., Resnick, A. C., Storm, P. B., Mirsky, D., Yeom, K. W., Weller, M., Prados, M., Chang, S. M., Mueller, S., Villanueva-Meyer, J. E., Bakas, S., … Nabavizadeh, A. (2025). Artificial Intelligence for Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (AI-RAPNO), part 2: Challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for clinical translation. The Lancet Oncology, 26(11), e607–e618. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00489-9
Kim, J.-H., Kim, J., Kang, H., & Youn, B.-Y. (2025). Ethical implications of artificial intelligence in sport: A systematic scoping review. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 14, 101047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101047
Kobeissi, M. M., Santa Maria, D. M., & Park, J. I. (2025). Artificial intelligence 101: Building literacy with the AI-ABCs framework. Nursing Outlook, 73(4), 102445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102445
Kong, S. C., & Zhu, J. (2025). Developing and validating an artificial intelligence ethical awareness scale for secondary and university students: Cultivating ethical awareness through problem-solving with artificial intelligence tools. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 9, 100447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2025.100447
Lartey, D., & Law, K. M. Y. (2025). Artificial intelligence adoption in urban planning governance: A systematic review of advancements in decision-making, and policy making. Landscape and Urban Planning, 258, 105337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2025.105337
Lee, J. W., & Lee, K. (2025). Building a consensus: Harmonizing AI ethical guidelines and legal frameworks in Korea for enhanced governance. Government Information Quarterly, 42(3), 102060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2025.102060
Lei, I. I., Marlicz, W., Arasaradnam, R. P., & Koulouzidis, A. (2025). Clinical Reformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Safeguarding the Ethical Centre of Medicine. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health, 100310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcpdig.2025.100310
Lin, Z., Dou, H., & Lin, S. (2025). Community-powered AI: Enhancing regional development through dataset diversity and ethical governance. Technovation, 147, 103315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2025.103315
Maghsoudi, M., Mohammadi, N., & Bakhtiari, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence and sustainable development: Public concerns and governance in developed and developing nations. Cleaner Environmental Systems, 19, 100340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100340
Mansouri, O., Yusuf, N., & Kooli, C. (2025). Ethical frontiers and legal boundaries: Proposing a unified framework for AI regulation and accountability. Next Research, 2(4), 101087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2025.101087
Mertzanis, C. (2025). Artificial intelligence and investment management: Structure, strategy, and governance. International Review of Financial Analysis, 107, 104599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104599
Molla, M. A. M., & Ahsan, M. M. (2025). Artificial intelligence and journalism: A systematic bibliometric and thematic analysis of global research. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 20, 100830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100830
Montalbano, P. (2025). Ethical and Legal Considerations of Medical Artificial Intelligence. AI in Primary Care, 52(4), 769–779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2025.07.009
Monteiro, N., & Singh, V. (2025). The wheel of artificial intelligence governance. Sustainable Futures, 10, 101279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101279
Moulaei, K., Akhlaghpour, S., & Fatehi, F. (2025). Patient consent for the secondary use of health data in Artificial Intelligence (AI) models: A scoping review. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 198, 105872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2025.105872
Nguyen, A., Duong, A. T., Nguyen, D. T. B., Lai, V. T. T., & Dang, B. (2025). Guidelines for learning design and assessment for generative artificial intelligence-integrated education: A unified view. Information and Learning Sciences, 126(78), 491–512. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-11-2024-0148
Nigar, M., Juli, J. F., Golder, U., Alam, M. J., & Hossain, M. K. (2025). Artificial intelligence and technological unemployment: Understanding trends, technology’s adverse roles, and current mitigation guidelines. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(3), 100607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100607
Nugroho, F. A. (2025). ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP IN TIMES OF GLOBAL CRISIS: CASE STUDIES FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Vol. 2 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.70177/politicae.v2i1.1914
Olawade, D. B., & Aienobe-Asekharen, C. A. (2025). Artificial intelligence in tobacco control: A systematic scoping review of applications, challenges, and ethical implications. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 202, 105987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2025.105987
Papagiannidis, E., Mikalef, P., & Conboy, K. (2025). Responsible artificial intelligence governance: A review and research framework. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 34(2), 101885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2024.101885
Pardosi, P., Muttaqim, H., & Sugeng, I. S. (2024). Social Media Activism: The Rise of Digital Movements in the Global South. Vol. 1 No. 6, 411–421. https://doi.org/10.70177/politicae.v1i6.1542
Poti, S. P., Stanton, C. J., & Stevens, C. J. (2025). Enabling Ethics Mechanisms in the Governance of Algorithmic Artificial Persons (ALAP). Journal of Responsible Technology, 100143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrt.2025.100143
Qian, Y., Siau, K. L., & Nah, F. F. (2024). Societal impacts of artificial intelligence: Ethical, legal, and governance issues. Societal Impacts, 3, 100040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socimp.2024.100040
Qiu, P., Zhang, H., Han, Y., Lei, J., & Zhang, X. (2025). Ethical issues and coping strategies for artificial intelligence in medical research. Translational Dental Research, 1(4), 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tdr.2025.100051
Raheja, A., & Belani, K. G. (2025). The Practical and Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Intensive Care: Safeguards. Artificial Intelligence in Anesthesiology, 43(3), 613–623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anclin.2025.05.011
Robinson, J. R., Stey, A., Schneider, D. F., Kothari, A. N., Lindeman, B., Kaafarani, H. M., & Haines, K. L. (2025). Generative Artificial Intelligence in Academic Surgery: Ethical Implications and Transformative Potential. Journal of Surgical Research, 307, 212–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.12.059
Saba, C. S., & Pretorius, M. (2024). The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment on human well-being in G-7 countries: Does the moderating role of governance matter? Sustainable Futures, 7, 100156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100156
Santiago, F. (2024). Legal Reform of Term Limitations for Legislative Members as a Form of Institutional Reform. https://doi.org/10.70177/politicae.v1i6.1782
Savastano, M. C., Rizzo, C., Fossataro, C., Bacherini, D., Giansanti, F., Savastano, A., Arcuri, G., Rizzo, S., & Faraldi, F. (2025). Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: Progress, challenges, and ethical implications. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 107, 101374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2025.101374
Sianipar, G., Yuna, J., & Parera, D. (2025). INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY IN POST- INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES: SOSIOLOGICAL PERSFEKTIVES. Vol. 2No. 1., 22–34. https://doi.org/10.70177/politicae.v2i1.1899
Tong, A., Zainol, Z., Chong, T. S., & Renganathan, K. (2025). AI governance on young consumers in higher education: A content analysis of policies for generative AI. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, 26(5), 865–885. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-10-2024-2303
Tun, H. M., Naing, L., Malik, O. A., & Rahman, H. A. (2025). Navigating ASEAN region Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance readiness in healthcare. Health Policy and Technology, 14(2), 100981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2025.100981
Wang, X., Wang, Q., Ding, G., Wang, J., Tang, Y., & Feng, Y. (2025). Artificial intelligence in multidisciplinary tumor boards enhancing decision making and clinical outcomes in oncology. iScience, 28(12), 114082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.114082
Zhou, X., Li, G., Wang, Q., Li, Y., & Zhou, D. (2025). Artificial intelligence, corporate information governance and ESG performance: Quasi-experimental evidence from China. International Review of Financial Analysis, 102, 104087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104087
Authors
Copyright (c) 2025 Dikdik Firman Sidik -, Sanjarbek Rahmonov, Mehriniso Davletova, Dildora Khodjaeva

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.