Kuala Lumpur, 13 August 2025 – The ASEAN Foundation, with support from Google.org, officially launched AI Class ASEAN during the 2nd Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready ASEAN, held on 12–13 August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The new e-learning platform marks one of the key milestones of AI Ready ASEAN, a 2.5-year regional programme made possible through a USD 5 million grant from Google.org. The initiative aims to equip young people, educators, and parents with essential skills to promote the inclusive and responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence across ASEAN. With an ambitious target of upskilling over 5.5 million learners, the platform represents a major leap forward in advancing AI literacy in Southeast Asia.
As AI reshapes economies and education systems globally, the demand for safe, inclusive, and responsible deployment comes timely and imperative. Thus, involved stakeholders must collaborate to legislate new policies and introduce innovative learning methods that will unlock benefits and help make the ASEAN Community AI-ready.
An example of this is the AI Class ASEAN, which is poised to turn this vision into a reality. The platform provides free training through 70 localised modules to meet the evolving needs of the region. Driven by AI-powered chatbot, discussion forums, and real-time translation support that facilitates collaborative, multilingual learning, the AI Class ASEAN is a multifaceted regional initiative. By providing accessible and meaningful information on artificial intelligence, the platform prepares individuals for an AI-powered future.
“At the ASEAN Foundation, we believe that empowering our communities with the right knowledge and skills is the key to a future-proof ASEAN. AI Class ASEAN delivers opportunity, inclusion, and shared progress, transforming ASEAN into a more resilient, better-informed, and more connected region,” stated Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation.
Under the theme “Bridging AI Literacy and AI Safety: Building Responsible AI in ASEAN,” the two-day convening brought together policymakers, educators, youth leaders, civil society organisations, and private sector experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by the rise of artificial intelligence in the region. The programme featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, a talk show, networking sessions, and the official launch of a flagship digital learning initiative: AI Class ASEAN.
The launch was symbolically marked through a ceremonial press of the launch button by key stakeholders: H.E. Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital of Malaysia; H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN; H.E. Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Foundation and Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN; Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation; and Ms. Sapna Chadha, Vice President for Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, Google Asia Pacific.
(L-R): Sapna Chadha, Vice President, Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, Google Asia Pacific, H.E. Amb. Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Foundation and Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation, Marija Ralic, Head of Google.org APAC
The ceremony was witnessed by representatives from the ASEAN Working Group on AI, ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Education, ASEAN Secretariat, and AI Ready ASEAN’s local implementing partners.
Following its official launch at the 2nd Regional Policy Convening, AI Class ASEAN was unveiled as the flagship initiative at the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025, in the presence of The Honourable Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. The moment underscored the significance of the e-learning platform, and the broader AI Ready ASEAN programme, in equipping Malaysia’s current and future generations with the skills needed to shape an inclusive, innovation-driven future for ASEAN.
Since its launch, the AI Ready ASEAN programme has achieved considerable progress in promoting basic AI literacy. Through its Hour of Code campaigns, over 400,000 beneficiaries across ten ASEAN countries have benefited from foundational AI concepts. The programme’s implementation partners, LIPs, across the region have played a key role in these efforts by building strong local networks across universities, schools, government agencies, and community organisations.
“We see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for inclusive progress when used responsibly. At Google.org, we’re supporting programmes like AI Ready ASEAN to ensure that foundational AI education reaches those who have the most to gain from it. By localising access and aligning with community needs, we’re helping to build a generation that can engage with AI critically, creatively, and confidently,” said Marija Ralic, Head of Google.org Asia Pacific.
In the Philippines, the programme is run by Local Implementing Partners (LIPs) Break The Fake Movement, Limitless Lab, AYO PH, Cyber Guardian, and SmartCT. These partners have collaborated with local schools and educational institutions to introduce foundational AI concepts and support digital literacy. By providing hands-on exposure to ethical and practical applications of AI, the campaign laid a strong groundwork for responsible AI engagement in the Philippines.
As part of its involvement in AI Ready ASEAN, Break the Fake Movement focuses on advancing media and information literacy (MIL) to address disinformation and encourage responsible digital citizenship and civic participation. Building on its success with the ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), Break the Fake Movement provides knowledge and skills that enable young learners to understand, evaluate, and use AI systems effectively and responsibly.
Break the Fake Movement has partnered with the Regional and Schools Divisions Offices of the Department of Education (DepEd) to scale and sustain the program–a similar approach it employed with the ASEAN DLP. The alliance plans to integrate AI into the current curriculum and ongoing MIL efforts in the country.
Recently, Break the Fake Movement has onboarded 100 Master Trainers who will facilitate Hour of Code sessions in schools, universities, organisations, and communities to teach the basics of computer programming.
“The AI Ready ASEAN serves as a springboard for advancing MIL policies in the Philippines. Coding is a skill that learners need to master to understand how AI works. Through the Hour of Code sessions, we want to dispel the notion that coding is exclusively for computer programmers; it’s for anyone who wants to think critically, solve problems, and create something new. With our collaboration with the Regional and Schools Division Office of DepEd, our initiatives are a significant step to promote AI literacy in schools and communities,” stated Paolo Miguel Ordonio, Executive Director of Break The Fake Movement.
Their strong localised understanding ensures that AI literacy programs are not only accessible, but also relevant and impactful. With localisation, building trust, and working with diverse audiences, these partners are shaping a more inclusive future where communities can co-create and benefit from AI.
