Inaugural United States-ASEAN AI Ministerial

On May 20, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg convened the inaugural U.S.-ASEAN AI Ministerial in the Republic of Singapore on the margins of Asia Tech x Singapore. The ministerial launched “The Road to 50 Years of U.S.-ASEAN Relations” ahead of Singapore’s 2027 ASEAN Chairmanship, marking a significant milestone in the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

ASEAN Digital Ministers, the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Economic Community, and senior representatives from U.S. industry joined Under Secretary Helberg to discuss the transformative role of AI in the ASEAN region. State Department Senior Bureau Official for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Russ Headlee moderated the discussion.

Under Secretary Helberg outlined Pax Silica and U.S. efforts to build a network of trusted partners to secure global technology supply chains, pursue joint investments in Southeast Asia, and address AI-related opportunities and vulnerabilities. Ministers and industry leaders identified opportunities to strengthen cooperation in AI development and governance, including how the U.S. AI Exports Program can support ASEAN member states’ AI policy development. They exchanged views on deepening U.S.-ASEAN collaboration on AI research, development, and deployment to drive economic growth and innovation for our combined one billion people, including support for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.