National AI strategies, regulations, and summit diplomacy across Asian countries

Asian Nations Lead in AI Strategies and Governance Amid Geopolitical Tensions

The rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) across Asia reflects a strategic push by nations to establish sovereignty, ethical standards, and regional leadership. This dynamic is characterized by comprehensive national policies, sector-specific regulations, and diplomatic efforts aimed at balancing innovation with security and societal values.

National AI Strategies and Legal Frameworks

Several Asian countries have articulated ambitious visions for AI development, emphasizing sovereignty, ethical deployment, and regional cooperation:

• India positions itself as a self-reliant AI powerhouse, emphasizing strategic autonomy and data sovereignty. Its "AI Decade" initiative aims to build indigenous ecosystems, reducing dependence on foreign technologies. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 highlighted efforts to accelerate domestic innovation and embed ethical norms into AI deployment, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaging globally, including with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, to foster a globally integrated yet sovereign AI environment. Notably, India has been advocating for sovereign AI as an alternative to reliance on big tech, emphasizing ethical, trustworthy AI frameworks.

• Taiwan has enacted the AI Basic Act in January 2026, establishing a comprehensive governance framework that balances technological growth with societal values. The legislation emphasizes ethical standards, industry innovation, and public participation, positioning Taiwan as a model for holistic AI regulation in the region.

• South Korea has taken legislative steps to ensure trustworthy AI, enacting comprehensive safety laws to prevent misuse such as deepfakes and scams. These laws set regional benchmarks for public safety and user protection, reflecting a people-centered approach.

• The Philippines is emerging as a regional AI hub, fostering international collaborations aimed at trustworthy AI development in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and security. Leaders are working to align with ASEAN standards to promote inclusive growth and regional stability.

Sectoral Governance and Standards

As AI systems become integral to daily life, Asia is advancing sector-specific frameworks emphasizing transparency, accountability, and ethical compliance:

• Healthcare AI is increasingly seen as requiring clinician-led oversight to ensure safety and trustworthiness, with experts warning against technologist-driven approaches that may overlook clinical realities or patient privacy.

• The FUTURE-AI standards promote trustworthy AI, focusing on interoperability and ethical norms in critical sectors like healthcare.

• The Financial Services AI Risk Management Framework (FS AI RMF) aims to protect market stability and consumer rights, signaling a move toward robust oversight in financial applications.

Addressing Governance Challenges and Security Concerns

Despite progress, significant challenges persist:

• Cybersecurity threats such as deepfake scams and malicious AI activities are escalating. Countries are enacting regulations to counter these, but a governance gap remains. Recent intelligence reports reveal that malicious actors are distilling functionalities from advanced AI models, exacerbating security vulnerabilities.

• A notable geopolitical issue involves Chinese AI firms accused by Anthropic of illicitly extracting capabilities from Claude, their flagship language model. Over 24,000 fake accounts were reportedly used to illicitly access and copy functionalities, raising serious IP theft and security concerns. Anthropic founder Dario Amodei and Elon Musk have publicly condemned these practices, warning of risks to innovation and sovereignty.

• In the United States, defense and security agencies are scrutinizing dependency on foreign AI models, with Pentagon officials evaluating vulnerabilities associated with reliance on Anthropic’s models. Concerns over vendor lock-in and security risks are prompting efforts to develop in-house AI capabilities.

Geopolitical Tensions and Infrastructure Gaps

The competition over AI resources and capabilities has fueled geopolitical frictions:

• Model distillation activities by foreign firms threaten regional security and IP integrity.

• Infrastructure deficiencies, especially in emerging economies, hinder inclusive AI development. Reports emphasize the urgent need for investments in computing resources and data centers to bridge the digital divide.

Labor and Governance of Autonomous Agents

The rise of autonomous AI agents introduces new operational and security challenges:

• Tech workers in companies like Google are demanding ethical red lines, particularly opposing military AI projects and autonomous weapons.

• The proliferation of shadow AI—undeclared AI systems operating within organizations—raises security and compliance concerns. There is an increasing call for detection frameworks, risk classification, and governance mechanisms.

• Identity management becomes critical as AI agents operate more autonomously, necessitating multi-factor authentication and role-based controls to prevent impersonation and unauthorized access.

Regional Cooperation and Future Outlook

Despite geopolitical tensions, Asia is actively working to harmonize standards and build capacity:

• Initiatives like "AI for the Global South" aim to develop local expertise in ethics, policy, and technical skills.

• International frameworks are increasingly seen as essential to protect IP, promote safety, and foster responsible innovation.

• Countries such as Australia and institutions like Bond University are establishing formalized AI governance policies emphasizing ethical principles, transparency, and public engagement.

Conclusion

The Asian region’s proactive policies—ranging from national strategies to sectoral standards and regional diplomacy—highlight its ambition to lead responsible, sovereign AI development. However, ongoing security vulnerabilities, IP theft allegations, and infrastructure gaps pose significant hurdles. The path forward involves strengthening multilateral regulation, investing in infrastructure, and upholding ethical standards, to ensure AI serves societal interests while safeguarding sovereignty and security. As competition intensifies, regional cooperation and innovative governance frameworks will be pivotal in shaping trustworthy AI futures across Asia.