As nations build 'sovereign AI,' open-source models and cloud computing can help, experts say

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve and become more accessible, experts at the East Tech West conference in Bangkok emphasized the need for emerging economies to develop their own 'sovereign AI.' This concept pertains to a nation's capacity to have control over its AI technologies, data, and infrastructure, allowing for strategic independence that aligns with local priorities and security requirements. Kasima Tharnpipitchai, head of AI strategy at SCB 10X, pointed out that the current landscape of AI is dominated by large language models predominantly based on the English language, which may not cater to the unique cultural and linguistic needs of many nations. He articulated the importance of countries crafting their own AI systems tailored to specific languages and cultural contexts rather than merely translating existing English models. The ASEAN region, with its nearly 700 million inhabitants and a youthful demographic—about 61% under the age of 35—stands out as a prime candidate for fostering sovereign AI. Jeff Johnson, managing director of ASEAN at Amazon Web Services, highlighted the necessity of democratizing cloud and AI access to support the region's technological advancement. Panelists discussed the role of open-source AI models as a means to cultivate sovereign AI environments. Tharnpipitchai remarked on the abundant talent in Southeast Asia, emphasizing that capturing this talent within an open-source framework would greatly benefit Thailand's competitive edge in the AI domain. Open-source AI, which allows for public access to source code, is seen as a vital resource for fostering innovation and collaboration. Experts also noted that the emergence of various open-source models provides governments and businesses with more diverse options beyond the traditional closed models. Cecily Ng from Databricks pointed out that open-source AI has been instrumental for countries like China in enhancing their AI ecosystems and competing with the U.S. Prem Pavan from Red Hat stressed that the focus of AI localization has shifted from merely language considerations to encompassing hardware and computing needs that are locally sourced. This localization can be supported by cloud computing companies operating domestically, including global giants like AWS and regional players such as AIS Cloud and True IDC. AWS's Johnson emphasized the company's commitment to supporting businesses of all sizes in Southeast Asia by offering flexible cloud services that allow companies to pay only for what they use. This model significantly lowers entry barriers and facilitates the development of AI applications. Looking ahead, the U.N. Trade and Development Agency forecasts that the market value of AI could soar to $4.8 trillion by 2033. However, it cautioned that the advantages of this technology are currently unevenly distributed, with many nations at risk of falling behind. Among the U.N.'s recommendations for promoting inclusive growth were the establishment of shared AI infrastructure, the adoption of open-source AI models, and initiatives aimed at sharing knowledge and resources across borders.