AI Class ASEAN to promote inclusive, responsible AI adoption

The ASEAN Foundation, with support from Google.org, has launched AI Class ASEAN during the 2nd Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready ASEAN, held in Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The ASEAN Foundation. The launch of AI Class ASEAN was marked through a ceremonial press of the launch button by HE Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital of Malaysia; HE Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN; HE Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Foundation and Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN; Dr Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation; and Sapna Chadha, VP for Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, Google Asia Pacific.

The new e-learning platform marks one of the key milestones of AI Ready ASEAN, a 2.5-year regional programme made possible through a US$5 M grant from Google.org. The initiative aims to equip young people, educators, and parents with essential skills to promote the inclusive and responsible adoption of AI across ASEAN. 

According to the ASEAN Foundation, the demand for safe, inclusive, and responsible AI deployment requires involved stakeholders to legislate new policies and introduce innovative learning methods that will unlock benefits and help make the ASEAN community AI-ready. AI Class ASEAN is one such initiative. 

With a target of upskilling over 5.5 million learners, the platform provides free training through 70 localised modules to meet the evolving needs of the region. Driven by an AI chatbot, discussion forums, and real-time translation, AI Class ASEAN will provide information on AI and prepare individuals for an AI-powered future.

“At the ASEAN Foundation, we believe that empowering our communities with the right knowledge and skills is the key to a future-proof ASEAN. AI Class ASEAN delivers opportunity, inclusion, and shared progress, transforming ASEAN into a more resilient, better-informed, and more connected region," said Dr Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation.  

Following its official launch, AI Class ASEAN was unveiled as the flagship initiative at the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025. The moment underscored the significance of the e-learning platform, and the broader AI Ready ASEAN programme in equipping Malaysia’s current and future generations with the skills needed to shape an inclusive, innovation-driven future for ASEAN.

Since its launch, the AI Ready ASEAN programme has achieved considerable progress in promoting basic AI literacy. Through its Hour of Code campaigns, over 400,000 beneficiaries across ten ASEAN countries have benefited from foundational AI concepts. The programme’s implementation partners, LIPs, have played a key role in these efforts by building strong local networks across universities, schools, government agencies, and community organisations.

“We see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for inclusive progress when used responsibly. At Google.org, we’re supporting programmes like AI Ready ASEAN to ensure that foundational AI education reaches those who have the most to gain from it. By localising access and aligning with community needs, we’re helping to build a generation that can engage with AI critically, creatively, and confidently,” said Marija Ralic, Head of Google.org Asia Pacific.

In Singapore, AI Ready ASEAN is supported by AI Singapore (AISG), a national programme launched by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) to catalyse, synergise, and boost Singapore's AI capabilities. 

AI talent development, a key pillar in AISG, plays a strategic role in nurturing the next generation of AI professionals and positioning Singapore as a regional hub for AI talent. To achieve this, AISG recruits and mentors Master Trainers who deliver foundational and practical AI education tailored to a broad spectrum of learners. 

Aligned with the goals of the AI Ready ASEAN initiative, the programme offers outcome-driven learning pathways designed to build sustained engagement with AI skills and foster real-world application. Signature initiatives such as the AI Student Developer Conference and the National AI Student Challenge further bridge training with industry relevance—connecting emerging talent to real-world problems and accelerating their readiness for the AI-driven future.

AISG also contributes to regional AI research and policy dialogues that advocate for responsible AI governance. These initiatives will not only benefit Singapore and enhance its capabilities, but also drive AI literacy forward in the region.

“AISG envisions AI Ready ASEAN as a catalyst for strengthening the region’s AI talent pipeline, advancing responsible AI adoption across society, and reinforcing Singapore’s position as a regional leader in AI,” said Koo Sengmeng, Director of AI Talent Development at AI Singapore. 

“While the initial programme is set to run through 2026, our focus is firmly on long-term sustainability. We are exploring additional training cycles and deepening our collaboration with strategic partners to expand equitable access to AI education. These efforts are closely aligned with ASEAN’s digital masterplans, ensuring that the region continues to develop a digitally skilled and ethically grounded workforce.”