Prospects for AI cooperation in APEC

APEC - Ảnh 1. — President Luong Cuong shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at APEC - Photo: VNA

As the host country, South Korea has chosen "connectivity, innovation and prosperity" as the three main priorities for the 2025 Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit Week, and has made artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation a key discussion topic.

AI Collaboration Bridge

Speaking to Tuoi Tre , Dr. Majo George, Head of the Economics Department at the University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City, assessed that APEC is a rare multilateral mechanism with the presence of both the US and China - the two countries leading the global AI revolution. Therefore, this forum plays a unique role in bridging cooperation between economies.

"APEC's strength lies in its voluntary, non-binding model, allowing economies with different political and legal systems to coordinate through common principles.

Existing frameworks such as the region's Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) and Cross-Border Privacy Enforcement Agreement (CPEA) have demonstrated that pragmatic cooperation can succeed without imposing uniform laws," said George.

Taking advantage of that strength, at the APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Incheon in August, ministers of member economies issued a joint statement committing to pursuing responsible, transparent and human-centered AI technology.

"APEC remains one of the few platforms where the superpowers are present, and where Asia-Pacific economies maintain dialogue and trust. President Luong Cuong's speech at the APEC CEO Summit captured this vision, affirming that the modern industrial revolution with AI as its main force must be led by cooperation, responsibility and inclusiveness," Dr. George emphasized.

Agreeing with the above opinion, Mr. Hendrick Sin, Chairman of the AI Subsidy Program Committee of Hong Kong (China), affirmed in the China Daily on October 31 that the "openness and rapid diffusion" of AI technology makes international cooperation extremely necessary for AI governance.

Mr. Sin emphasized that as the region's "most influential economic cooperation platform," APEC is considered to have a "special position to promote dialogue and build consensus" among member economies.

Previously, at the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting on October 22, Hong Kong's financial authority leader Pual Chan also called on APEC to strengthen cooperation through capacity building, knowledge sharing and technical assistance to narrow the digital development gap.

He also asked the region to facilitate dialogues on AI governance, cross-border data transfers and digital trade, while enhancing innovation and the regional technology ecosystem.

Connecting Vietnam's financial center

Dr. Majo George affirmed that APEC's role does not stop at promoting AI cooperation. He pointed out that in order for the efforts to build international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to bear fruit, these two centers must combine financial capital with data connectivity and digital trust.

In the current context, APEC can act as a "pipeline network" connecting Vietnam's two financial centers with other centers in the Pacific region.

According to Mr. George, with its strengths in electronics manufacturing, dynamic digital services, and policy space for innovation in the financial technology (fintech) sector, Vietnam can play the role of a connecting hub where pioneering AI technologies are adapted to suit regional realities.

"President Luong Cuong's call for open and inclusive AI development at APEC emphasizes Vietnam's potential to become a factor in creating a trans-Pacific cooperation network," Dr. George affirmed.

Towards that goal, Mr. George proposed a number of action pillars for APEC to both promote the strengths of developed members and narrow the development gap between economies. Notable among them are the application of paperless trade, the implementation of cross-border pilot projects for fintech and AI in the financial sector and the connection of regulatory agencies of emerging international financial centers.

Vietnam's proposals

Speaking at the APEC 2025 Business Summit on October 30, President Luong Cuong affirmed that the world is entering the 4.0 industrial revolution with the fundamental difference being AI technology with unprecedented breakthrough speed.

The President stressed that this industrial revolution must be led from the beginning by a spirit of cooperation, creating opportunities for all economies to participate, contribute and develop. In particular, the APEC business community needs to act with governments to deploy AI responsibly, promoting open and inclusive AI.

Speaking at the first session of the APEC 2025 Leaders' Meeting on October 31, President Luong Cuong proposed three key areas that APEC should focus on.

First, there is a need to address major bottlenecks in the region’s supply chain and infrastructure through efficient digitalization of customs clearance processes.

Second, it is necessary to promote trade and investment cooperation through efforts to realize the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Agreement.

Third, it is necessary to support the private sector, especially small and medium enterprises, in accessing capital, technology, markets, and improving governance capacity to adapt and develop in the digital age.

Back to topic

NGOC DUC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/trien-vong-hop-tac-ai-trong-apec-20251101002310923.htm