P121 Towards a Responsible AI Framework in ASEAN: An Islamic Ethical Approach

Abstract

The development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are raising complex ethical, social, and regulatory challenges across the globe. While regions like the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) have developed clear regulatory strategies, the ASEAN region remains in an early stage of policy implementation—largely characterized by voluntary guidelines and non-binding principles. This paper critically analyzes existing AI policies across ASEAN member states, with a focus on Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, and compares them to global regulatory frameworks. It introduces an original scoring system to assess enforcement strength and policy maturity. Further, it proposes the integration of Maqasid al-Shariah—a classical Islamic ethical framework—as a culturally resonant foundation for AI governance in Muslim-majority ASEAN countries. Drawing on recent policy documents, academic literature, and contemporary AI ethics debates, the paper identifies key gaps and presents a faith-aligned model for responsible AI. Findings indicate that Islamic principles such as adl (justice), amanah (trust), and maslahah (public good) offer both universal and context-specific tools for developing a regionally relevant responsible AI framework. The study concludes with policy recommendations and outlines a strategic path toward an ASEAN-wide AI governance model that harmonizes ethical accountability with technological innovation.