The United Nations has designated carbon neutrality, or net-zero carbon dioxide emissions, as the world's most pressing task. Carbon neutrality is essential for the creation of a sustainable planet. Many countries, organizations, colleges, and businesses have promised to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As a result, researchers all across the world are inventing technology to allow for accurate carbon accounting and considerable carbon offsets. The rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), block chain, computing technologies, and other technologies have brought fast advancement in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a potential technique for becoming carbon neutral. Models and algorithms based on artificial intelligence and big data analytics may be used to estimate carbon dioxide emissions and offer measures for reduction and removal.
Furthermore, the Blue Economy has emerged as ASEAN's new economic engine. The Blue Economy concept is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved lives, and job creation while protecting the ocean ecosystem's health. The increased interest in maximizing the blue economy necessitates a comprehensive framework at the municipal, national, and regional levels. The framework complements ASEAN Community Vision 2025, other ASEAN efforts (such as the ASEAN Carbon Neutrality Strategy), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
ASEAN is at the forefront of the world's most prominent shared marine issues, with nine of ten Member States bordering the seas. The ASEAN COSTI has identified several shared priority issues regarding the contribution of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to the Blue Economy. These priority issues are: smart aquaculture, marine ecosystem health, and integrated ocean monitoring. AI-enabled solutions can also address of the Blue Economy issues. Artificial intelligence can help analyze vast datasets, optimize resource management and predict environmental changes. However, several concerns are raised regarding their implementations and regulation, especially on AI. The ASEAN Member States' disparate and uneven progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) calls for increased capacity building and collaboration both within the ASEAN and with countries having more advanced core technologies. The other issue involves the regulations on the ethical aspects of AI implementations, the impact of AI implementations on the labor force and the economy, AI infrastructure development, and the readiness to embrace AI breakthroughs. Based on this concern, the AMS should collaborate within the ASEAN COSTI framework. As the sectoral body in charge of innovation, science, and technology in the region, ASEAN COSTI is committed to assisting the ASEAN community in getting ready to face the challenge of technological disruption.
The National Research and Innovation Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BRIN-Indonesia) was hosting a two-day workshop program (Tuesday-Wednesday, October 15th-16th, 2024) to further improve the readiness of the workforce in the carbon neutrality and blue economy sectors. BRIN was co-hosting this workshop with Republic of Korea, in particular, Korea was sharing their digital policies and provide insights.
The workshop program is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- To collect, study and share best practices to increase participants' knowledge about the various forms and possible partnerships in the use of AI technology in the fields of carbon neutrality and blue economy in the ASEAN region.
- To increase awareness and responsiveness of the ASEAN community in the use of AI technology in the fields of carbon neutrality and blue economy.
- To strengthen the ASEAN research network, and relevant stakeholders, and create innovative and competitive products, especially for AI technology in the fields of carbon neutrality and blue economy.
- To prepare policy recommendations to support ASEAN member countries in making national science and technology policies related to the use of AI in the fields of carbon neutrality and blue economy which are in line with the vision, mission, and strategic plans in the regions to build national excellence in the regional and global level.
The main agenda for the ASEAN Workshop on Implementation of Artificial Intelligence on Carbon Neutrality and Blue Economy was divided into 6 (six) sessions, namely:
- Keynote Speech & Presentation - Topic: ASEAN Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidelines. Speaker from ASEAN DGSOM
- Plenary Session – Topic: Ethics AI Governance of the ASEAN Member States (AMS). Speakers are 1 (one) speaker from each AMS. The plenary session was providing an overview of the current state of AI ethics and governance across ASEAN, highlighting key progress and challenges. Speakers was discussed successful implementations, regional collaboration efforts, and the common challenges faced, such as regulatory gaps and ethical dilemmas. The session was also look at future strategies for enhancing AI governance and opportunities for regional cooperation within the ASEAN region.
- Panel Session – Topic: Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Ethical Challenges on Carbon Neutrality. Speakers are sought from AMS and partners, with a total of 5 (five) speakers in the session. This session was provided insights into both the ethical challenges and the implementation of AI and big data in achieving carbon neutrality, focusing on sustainable energy, supply chain management, and carbon trading, in order to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
- Panel Session – Topic: Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Ethical Challenges on Blue Economy – Smart Aquaculture. Speakers are sought from AMS and partners, with a total of 5 (five) speakers in the session. The session was provided insights into both the ethical challenges and the implementation of AI for precision aquaculture, especially in advancing sustainable practices in the Blue Economy.
- Panel Session – Topic: Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Ethical Challenges on Blue Economy – Marine Ecosystem Health. Speakers are sought from AMS and partners, with a total of 5 (five) speakers in the session. The session was addressing the ethical challenges and/or the implementation of AI-based platforms for real-time monitoring and analysis of Marine Ecosystem Health.
- Panel Session – Topic: Artificial Intelligence Implementation and Ethical Challenges on Blue Economy – Integrated Ocean Monitoring. Speakers are sought from AMS and partners, with a total of 5 (five) speakers in the session. The session was provided insights into both the ethical challenges and the implementation of AI-driven platforms for Integrated Ocean Monitoring: In-situ and Space-based data collection, processing, and analysis.
- Round Table Discussion – Topic: Exploring ideas and applications of AI on crafting policy recommendations. Participant are invited from ID but AMS and RoK can contribute to the discussion and partners, 6 tables with 6-7 participants are expected in this session. The session was started with an opening remark on overview on the themes and expected output of the discussion continued with discussion. The output expected from this session is compendium of ideas and applications of AI on crafting policy recommendation.