Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Releases Strategic Roadmap for ASEAN's 5G-AI Transformation
Prof. Vu Minh Khuong, Practice Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, at the report launch event
Establishing national 5G-AI development strategies with clear 2025-2030 roadmaps; Creating empowered coordination agencies in ASEAN member countries; Deploying forward-looking spectrum policies that promote accessibility and innovation; Fostering vibrant AI-driven ecosystems through public-private collaboration; and Implementing robust monitoring frameworks to track progress and enable course corrections.
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 July 2025 - The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) today released a comprehensive research report outlining how ASEAN can harness 5G and artificial intelligence convergence for transformative economic growth. The study, "Leveraging 5G to Accelerate AI-Driven Transformation in ASEAN: Imperatives, Policy Insights, and Recommendations," provides policymakers with actionable strategies to unlock the region's digital potential.ASEAN faces a critical window of opportunity. The research shows 5G alone is projected to contribute US$130 billion to Asia Pacific's economy by 2030. However, adoption remains uneven across the region — ranging from 48.3% penetration in Singapore to less than 1% in several ASEAN member states. Without coordinated action, these disparities risk deepening digital divides and weakening regional competitiveness. ASEAN may be left behind as other regions accelerate their digital transformation."The convergence of 5G and AI represents the infrastructure of innovation, powering smart manufacturing, precision agriculture, and autonomous mobility. But ASEAN cannot afford to wait. The window for establishing regional leadership in intelligent connectivity is rapidly closing," said Professor Vu Minh Khuong from LKYSPP. "Our report provides ASEAN policymakers with a blueprint to navigate the complex intersection of 5G and AI integration, and now policymakers must act decisively. Coordinated strategies that can accelerate regional leadership in intelligent connectivity must be established to help the region move beyond incremental improvements toward transformative digital leadership."The LKYSPP study, drawing from extensive stakeholder interviews and survey responses from over 400 professionals across eight ASEAN countries, identifies ten critical imperatives for accelerating 5G-AI transformation, beginning with establishing coordinated digital leadership to address fragmentation that is currently slowing regional progress. ASEAN governments should treat 5G as a strategic AI enabler — not merely a telecom upgrade — while addressing the widening skills gaps that are impeding enterprise adoption across the region.To secure ASEAN's digital future, the report recommends implementing five strategic priorities:The LKYSPP report emphasises that enterprise adoption should be prioritised as the primary driver of 5G's economic impact. Looking across the region, there is much potential and notable examples of success: Singapore's 5G-powered smart ports have achieved 50% latency reduction, Thailand has deployed AI-enhanced disaster management systems, and Malaysia's wholesale network model has reached 82% population coverage. These examples illustrate the potential for transformative impacts when coordinated strategies are effectively implemented.According to the LKYSPP research report, private 5G networks are essential for Industry 4.0 transformation, while Fixed Wireless Access offers a compelling solution for bridging connectivity gaps in underserved areas. The report also positions current 5G deployment as critical infrastructure for 6G evolution expected by 2030, making today's strategic decisions particularly important for future competitiveness.Looking ahead, the study envisions ASEAN leading a 5G-AI powered future where enterprises scale globally through intelligent manufacturing, farmers optimise yields using AI-driven analytics, and students in remote areas access immersive education platforms. Realizing this vision requires bold coordinated action, strategic coordination and planning, and sustained commitment to digital transformation.The comprehensive 148-page report and executive summary are now available for download. The findings serve as both a strategic guide for policymakers and a call to action for regional institutions to seize the 5G-AI moment and shape a digitally empowered future for ASEAN's 700 million citizens.Hashtag: #LeeKuanYewSchoolofPublicPolicy #LKYSPP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Professor Vu Minh Khuong
Prof Vu Minh Khuong is a Practice Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. His research and teaching concentrate on economic development and policy analysis. He has published three books and over 50 papers in prestigious academic journals, including Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Information Economics and Policy, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Telematics and Informatics, Telecommunication Policy, Journal of Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Energy Policy. He is among the top 2% of most-cited scholars worldwide. Prof Vu earned his PhD from Harvard University. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Telecommunications Policy and the Journal of East Asian Policy.
About the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) is an autonomous, professional graduate school of the National University of Singapore. Its mission is to be a leading global public policy school, with its faculty and alumni shaping thought leadership, improving standards of governance, and transforming lives for a more sustainable world. In addition to its Masters and PhD programmes, LKYSPP offers high quality Executive Programmes for civil servants, corporate executives, and non-profit professionals to equip them with insights and skills to transform their organisations and the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
21 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Malaysia ready to be voice for developing nations on global stage
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is ready to be a bridge and voice for the developing world on various global issues of common interest, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said that key areas of focus include the reform of international financial institutions, fairer trade, climate justice, technology transfer, and capacity building. He added that Malaysia would maintain strong relations with all countries, remaining committed and active in spearheading various initiatives at the Asean level. The nation's active involvement with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec), BRICS, and countries in the Global South would also be strengthened, reflecting Malaysia's determination to advocate for a more just world order. "We do not want to be mere local champions, excelling on our own turf but insignificant on the global stage," he said. "We must collectively restore Malaysia's image as a prosperous nation, rich in cultural uniqueness and firmly rooted in its local values and history." The Prime Minister also announced that Malaysia would leverage the opportunity of hosting the Sea Games in 2027 and several other international tournaments over the next five years. "The opportunity to host such prestigious sports events will be an important platform to foster unity among the people," he said.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
China's cyberspace regulator questions Nvidia over AI chip privacy risks
The US has reversed an April ban on Nvidia selling the H20 artificial intelligence chips to China. (Reuters pic) BEIJING : China's cyberspace regulator said it has asked US semiconductor maker Nvidia to explain whether its H20 artificial intelligence (AI) chips have any backdoor security risks. The Cyberspace Administration of China said it met with Nvidia today after US lawmakers called for advanced chips sold abroad to be equipped with tracking and positioning functions. The regulator said the matter raised concerns over the potential impact on Chinese user data and privacy rights. Nvidia did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. In May, US senator Tom Cotton introduced a bill that would direct the commerce department to require location verification mechanisms for AI chips subject to export restrictions, to curb Chinese access to advanced US semiconductor technology. Nvidia developed the H20 chip for the Chinese market after the US imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips in late 2023. The chip has had a turbulent path to market amid shifting regulatory policies. The US this month reversed an April ban on Nvidia selling the H20 to China. Reuters reported this week that Nvidia had placed orders for 300,000 H20 chipsets with contract manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, with one source saying strong Chinese demand had prompted the US company to abandon plans to rely solely on existing inventory. Nvidia is also facing an antitrust investigation in China. The state administration for market regulation announced late last year it was probing the chipmaker over suspected violations of the country's anti-monopoly law. The regulator said Nvidia was also suspected of violating commitments it made during its acquisition of Israeli chip designer Mellanox Technologies, under terms outlined in the regulator's 2020 conditional approval of that deal.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
13MP: Malaysia sets path to lead SE Asia in digital economy and green tech
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Malaysia has set a clear direction to emerge as a leader in the digital economy and green technology in the Southeast Asian region by 2030, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said generative AI is now within reach and the country is seizing the opportunity by charting a clear course to drive the AI ecosystem through the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2030. He said emphasis would be given to the adoption of local technological innovations to spur economic growth through the development of strategic digital assets such as AI, data analytics and government digital systems, alongside the enhancement of research, development, commercialisation and innovation (RDCI) activities based on the 'Made by Malaysia' approach. 'This effort is crucial to strengthen the nation's economic competitiveness, while developing a more sustainable and high-impact industry in line with the aspiration of becoming an AI-driven nation,' he said when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today. The 13MP, themed 'Melakar Semula Pembangunan' (Redesigning Development), outlines Malaysia's five-year development strategy for the 2026–2030 period. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the government is committed to enhancing digital infrastructure to create new economic opportunities and attract strategic investments in the data centre sector. He said this effort will also enable broader access to online digital services across various sectors, including education, e-commerce and smart applications. To accelerate AI adoption across sectors, the government is targeting 5G coverage expansion to 98 per cent in populated and industrial areas, including rural regions, by 2030. This is in line with the commitment to nurture at least 5,000 new digital entrepreneurs. At the same time, to safeguard the digital ecosystem, a digital trust and national data security strategy will be introduced. This includes exploring quantum communication technologies and strengthening regulations through the establishment of a Data Commission and implementation of a national data bank. Key policies and strategies, such as the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy, and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, will be prioritised with a focus on effective execution that benefits the people and industries directly, Anwar said. The Prime Minister also said Malaysia will introduce a Business Digital Identity system and promote the use of 'digital twin' to enhance the competitiveness and innovation of industry players. To build a strong foundation, he said AI literacy programmes will be introduced at the primary school level, alongside efforts to expand local intellectual property, increase strategic funding, and encourage cross-sector collaboration between industry players, research institutions, universities and the country's young innovators. 'This approach will ensure the country's innovation ecosystem grows comprehensively and delivers long-term returns to the economy and the people,' he said. — Bernama
