Agencies from Vietnam and the U.S. jointly conducted the AI Connect II Asia Regional Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City with the aim of encouraging responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development and promoting cooperation in addressing challenges to AI policies and their implementation in the region.

Kicking off on Monday, the three-day workshop is co-hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center, and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, attracting representatives of governments, tech firms, and AI institutions from 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The event also welcomes 44 selected participants in the U.S.-initiated AI Connect II program from South and Southeast Asia.

The workshop marks a significant turning point in promoting responsible AI development and policy throughout South and Southeast Asia, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said on Tuesday. 

The workshop also provides a vital platform for the nuanced challenges of AI policy and implementation across the region, commented Raul Brens, acting senior director and senior fellow at the GeoTech Center.

Delegates have excitedly discussed AI-related issues and listened to world-renowned experts to explore and identify the best AI approaches for the region.

“This workshop underscores our shared dedication to shaping a future where AI technologies are developed responsibly and inclusively, benefiting everyone in the Asia-Pacific and beyond,” Vietnam Investment Review magazine cited Brens as saying.

The AI Connect II is designed to bolster the responsible stewardship of AI technologies in line with the OECD’s AI Principles and help low- and middle-income countries from Southeast Asia join more effectively in global conversations on AI policies, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The program is aimed at connecting policymakers, practitioners, academics, and private sector representatives from selected countries, who will be given assistance and opportunities to engage with experts via a global community supported by regional subnetworks.

The AI Connect II is bringing together a group of 150 participants through meetings, both virtual and in-person, and networking opportunities.  

The Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank, will work with these participants “to support their country’s efforts to develop robust AI strategies, foster meaningful connections between individuals working in the same region on responsible AI development, and bring their voices to international forums to enable more inclusive global conversations,” stated the agency.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!