Trustworthy AI Takes Centre Stage at CYDES 2025: ASEAN Forum Emphasizes Ethics, Transparency, and Security in Emerging Technologies
PUTRAJAYA, July 1, 2025 – The evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s digital landscape was brought into sharp focus at the ASEAN Cyber Security Forum 2025, as experts from across the region and beyond convened for a critical session on the future of ethical AI. Titled “Trustworthy AI: Ensuring Transparency, Bias Reduction, and Security”, the high-level discussion formed a cornerstone of CYDES 2025 – Advancing Cyber Resilience, held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
With AI increasingly integrated into national infrastructure, business operations, and public services, the forum served as a timely platform to address rising concerns about accountability, fairness, and security in AI deployment. The session was moderated by Associate Professor Dr. Mohamad Yusof Darus, a computer science expert from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), who opened the panel by calling for the establishment of clear ethical frameworks in AI development and governance.
“Trustworthy AI must be more than a slogan — it must be a commitment embedded into every stage of AI development, from design to deployment,” he stated in his closing remarks, underscoring the gravity of the issue.
Diverse Perspectives from Global and Regional Leaders
The panel featured three distinguished speakers representing the spectrum of AI governance, policy, and international collaboration.
Brigadier General Alfred Chen, Chief Executive of the Centre for AI and Advanced Analytics at Singapore’s Home Team Science & Technology Agency, emphasized the significance of building public trust in AI through robust governance frameworks and transparent deployment in the public sector.
From Malaysia, Adrian Marcellus, CEO of MyDIGITAL Corporation, shared insights into the country’s National AI Roadmap, highlighting the government’s approach to balancing technological innovation with responsible regulation. He stressed the importance of nurturing a digital economy that promotes both growth and public confidence in AI systems.
Adding a global perspective, Samir Aliyev, CEO of the Swiss Cyber Institute, warned of the cross-border nature of AI-driven cyber threats and advocated for deeper international collaboration in developing secure and trustworthy AI technologies.
Transparency, Fairness, and Cybersecurity
Throughout the discussion, three core themes dominated:
- Transparency in AI systems – Experts agreed that AI decision-making processes must be explainable and understandable, especially when deployed in sensitive sectors like finance, law enforcement, and healthcare. Transparency not only ensures accountability but also empowers regulators and users alike to trust AI systems.
- Bias mitigation – Speakers highlighted the dangers of algorithmic bias and called for the use of diverse, representative datasets in AI training. Without inclusive data and ethical oversight, AI systems risk reinforcing existing inequalities, particularly in multicultural societies like those in Southeast Asia.
- Cybersecurity and compliance – As AI technologies evolve, so too do the threats they face and pose. Panelists urged ASEAN nations to strengthen AI-related cybersecurity measures, especially in areas vulnerable to manipulation or exploitation by malicious actors.
Regional Commitment to Ethical AI
The session marked a broader effort by ASEAN stakeholders to align their digital futures with ethical principles, innovation, and resilience. Delegates across sectors reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation in AI governance, recognizing that responsible AI is not only a technical challenge but a societal one.
As CYDES 2025 continues to drive discussions on cyber resilience, the spotlight on trustworthy AI reinforces a growing understanding that the future of technology must be built on trust, fairness, and shared responsibility.
— CYDES 2025 ASEAN Desk