The ASEAN Foundation has received official endorsement for the next phase of AI Ready ASEAN, a regional initiative that aims to equip more than 1.7 million students, K-12 teachers and university faculty members with practical AI skills by the end of 2028.
The AI Ready ASEAN Powered by AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific is being implemented with AVPN, with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank. The program builds on the first two years of AI Ready ASEAN and shifts its focus from AI awareness to applied and responsible AI education.
The initiative will work with Local Implementing Partners across ASEAN Member States to develop locally adapted curricula and deliver AI training for K-12 educators, tertiary students and faculty. Training will focus on using AI in teaching, learning, research and workforce preparation.
The ASEAN Foundation will also coordinate with national education ministries to align the program with individual countries’ AI and education priorities.
Beyond training, the program will bring together governments, educators, AI practitioners, academics, businesses and other stakeholders through regional and national forums. These discussions are intended to support knowledge sharing and inform AI education policies across Southeast Asia. The fourth regional convening is scheduled for December 2026 in Singapore.
The initiative reflects the region’s growing emphasis on AI literacy, responsible AI adoption and digital skills development as AI becomes increasingly integrated into education and the future workplace.
