Abstract
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming economies and societies worldwide, presenting both immense opportunities and complex challenges for Southeast Asia. As a region known for its diverse geography, growing economies, young tech-savvy workforce, and cultural heterogeneity, Southeast Asia is well-positioned to harness AI for innovation, competitiveness, and social good. However, realizing the full potential of AI in the region requires navigating a complex web of historical, political, and economic factors, including the region's colonial past, its structural inequalities, weak-states, and its position within the global economic system. This chapter explores the opportunities and challenges of AI for economic development in Southeast Asia, drawing on insights from political economy, philosophy, history, Science and Technological Studies (STS) and other disciplines. It examines the current state of AI production, development, adoption and accessibility in the region, its potential economic impacts, and the social and political dimensions of AI governance. The chapter apropos a politico-economic cartography and analysis of core-periphery relations in the global market, highlights the historical patterns of dependency and subjugation between Southeast Asia and the powerful industrial global north states. It concludes with a call to action for Southeast Asian policymakers and civil society organizations to proactively push for the native ownership, production, and governance of AI in the region, ensuring that its transformative potential is harnessed for egalitarian objectives, inclusive growth, and shared prosperity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | South Asian economic development |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group |
| Edition | 3rd |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 1 Dec 2024 |