The State of Responsible AI in the APAC Region
Can just summarize some examples of responsible AI initiatives in the APAC region. China, Japan, S Korea, India, etc. Nothing for N Korea and be careful/objective with wording for China. CTA of APAC.
The APAC region is in full swing and looking at ways to use AI in a responsible manner. So far, of the nations of the region, about half a dozen have either made a move toward creating legal frameworks for the responsible use of AI or have decided to allow companies to figure it out on their own within the home territory. So let’s take a look at a few examples of how some nations in the APAC region are looking to answer the call for responsible AI.
Japan
Back in July, it was reported by Reuters that the Japanese government took the EU example and decided to take a “softer approach” to regulating AI. Their main concern is the boost in economic output that is possible with AI alongside helping the country become a hub for AI in the future. Their goal, as it stands, is to come up with a set of rules that are a bit more in line with what the United States is looking to enact, where data privacy compliance can be championed without the risk of reducing innovation.
Part of what the Japanese government wants to explore are rules related to companies disclosing copyrighted material used to train their AI systems and in turn, generate content and other benchmarks. Part of the motivation behind Japan’s push to promote innovation is the nation’s looming demographic crisis as a large elderly population is poised to overshadow a shrinking workforce. So part of the hope is that AI and robotics can help Japan address these issues so it can maintain a certain standard of living for its citizens.
South Korea
Another leader in responsible AI regulation is the nation of South Korea, and it’s been a busy year for their national assembly as the legislative body has been working hard in the first half of 2023, pushing for governing policies related to AI. The first is called the “Act on Promotion of AI Industry and Framework for Establishing Trustworthy AI.” This act is the first law that sets out the basic principles of AI safety and creates the first legal definition of artificial intelligence. There are three main principles associated with this law:
- Ensuring the safety and reliability of AI in the development and utilization process
- Making products and services that utilize AI accessible to all
- Contributing to the prosperity and well-being of humanity.
But this wasn’t the only law associated with AI that South Korea worked on this year. Back in May, the nation also tightened biometrics laws aimed at AI and set new standards for copyrights of AI-generated content. Set to go live next month, the goal of the latter law is to minimize disputes and confusion over intellectual property rights associated with AI-generated content.
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India
India is an interesting case study. It’s well known that the country is a hotbed for tech development and innovation, as this has been the case for decades now. So one would expect that the government would come together to create a framework that balances the desire for AI innovation with other responsible AI concerns. But as of April of this year, that isn’t the case. That’s because The Ministry of Electronics and IT stated in a long response that it will put together policies through the government agency when it comes to standardized practices to reduce the risks of bias and discrimination associated with AI, but wouldn’t request the introduction of legislation.
China
Due to China’s size, economy, and capital, how it regulates AI could have an oversized effect on its economic neighborhood. Back in July, it finalized a governing rule related to generative AI services, a major step in the formation of responsible AI practices within the county. Like other nations on this list, the Chinese government is attempting to not sacrifice potential innovation in the field, but it also has put together a list of requirements not seen elsewhere in the region.
Some of these include registration of generative AI services that service citizens, watermarks for deep fakes, and ideological requirements related to the ruling party. And unlike other nations in this list, these rules are pretty much a full framework of requirements, and expectations, related to their view of responsible AI.
The Philippines
Currently, The Philippines has no law regulating the use of AI in the nation. Because of this H.B. 7396 was introduced back in March in the House of Representatives. On the subject of AI, the bill sponsor Surigao Del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers said, “AI is rapidly transforming the global economy, with its potential to enhance productivity, improve the delivery of public services, and drive economic growth.”
Much like South Korea and China, The Philippine government is attempting to balance the desire of benefiting from innovation associated with AI with managing potential risks, such as privacy and bias against their citizens.
Conclusion
Just like in other regions such as North & South America, the EU, and elsewhere, the APAC region is attempting to keep up with the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence. Though there is great potential in relation to uplifting the lives of their citizens, there are also risks from unintended consequences and legislative bodies are struggling to learn the ramifications of a technology most don’t understand.
This is why responsible AI within the data science community is critical and is a track at ODSC APAC this August 22–23. Without subject matter experts within our community, policymakers could be left blind when creating laws governing the industry. If you’re interested in learning what is coming down the road when it comes to responsible AI in the APAC region, then you won’t want to miss the ODSC APAC’s responsible AI track. Learn from the leaders who are shaping policy across the region.
Originally posted on OpenDataScience.com
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