KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 – The ASEAN-Korea Innovation Culture Forum 2024 was held with a focus on Creative AI for an Inclusive Society. The event, which brought together experts, policymakers, and innovators from across Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) and Korea, aimed to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can foster social inclusion and bridge gaps within communities.
Held at the National Art Gallery (Malaysia) as a host, the forum emphasized the potential of AI as a tool for cultural and social innovation. Key speakers highlighted how AI-driven solutions could improve accessibility, empower marginalized groups, and create new economic opportunities across ASEAN countries and Korea.
The forum showcased diverse projects, from language translation technologies that preserve local dialects to AI tools designed to support small businesses in rural areas. Representatives from both public and private sectors discussed collaboration strategies to ensure that AI advancements benefit all segments of society, not just a select few.
“Creative AI should be about creating opportunities for everyone,” said Dr. Lim Sung-ho, a leading AI researcher from Korea. He stressed the importance of designing AI tools that are user-friendly and accessible for diverse populations across the ASEAN region.
In a key role, Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shamsuri Khalid, a distinguished figure from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur’s Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI) : Department of Creative AI, served as the event’s moderator. Dr. Shamsuri offered valuable foresight and insight into the ways AI can be leveraged to address social challenges, emphasizing how AI-driven tools can expand accessibility and support cultural preservation. His expertise guided discussions on critical themes, including the ethical considerations of AI and the need to design AI applications that are both inclusive and culturally responsive
This year’s forum highlighted the importance of inclusive innovation as ASEAN and Korea navigate rapid advancements in AI. With ongoing collaboration and responsible AI integration, these partnerships aim to empower communities across the region, ensuring that progress is shared equitably, and that AI serves as a catalyst for inclusive growth.
The event concluded with a series of panel discussions on ethical AI development, the importance of cross-cultural collaboration, and strategies for integrating AI into education systems to better prepare the next generation.
As ASEAN countries and Korea move forward with rapid technological advancements, forums like these play a critical role in ensuring that innovation remains inclusive and culturally mindful.