Asia forges ahead with artificial intelligence

Following the unveiling of China's AI roadmap, some of the region's most tech-savvy nations followed suit. South Korea, a country boasting nearly 100% internet penetration and the first country to implement a nationwide Internet of Things (IOT) network has pledged to invest ₩2.2 trillion (US$2 billion) on AI-related R&D by 2022. Singapore, which in the past has boasted the highest smartphone adoption rates in the world, and which is already considered a regional AI leader, recently announced the formation of a high-level council that will advise the government on legal and ethical issues related to the continued adoption of AI. The council's formation is indicative of the Singaporean government's recognition that one of the key challenges facing the large-scale implementation of AI is reconciling its many benefits with its potential implications for societal norms and expectations. We should expect similar initiatives across the region.