The ASEAN Foundation, supported by Google.org, launched AI Class ASEAN during the AI Ready ASEAN convening in Kuala Lumpur on August 12-13. This e-learning platform is a milestone in the 2.5-year program funded by a USD 5 million grant. The initiative aims to equip over 5.5 million young people, educators, and parents with skills for the inclusive and responsible use of AI.
In Malaysia, local partners like Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah are introducing foundational AI concepts to enhance digital literacy. As AI transforms global economies and education, collaboration among stakeholders is essential to develop policies and innovative learning methods.
AI Class ASEAN offers free training through 70 localized modules, supported by AI-driven chatbots, discussion forums, and real-time translation for multilingual learning. This initiative 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”, a two-day event brought together government officials, teachers, young leaders, community groups, and private sector experts to talk about the benefits and challenges of AI in the region. The program included keynote speeches, panel discussions, a talk show, networking opportunities, and the official launch of a new digital learning program called AI Class ASEAN.
The launch was marked by a special ceremony where key stakeholders pressed the launch button. These included 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.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the ASEAN Working Group on AI, ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Education, ASEAN Secretariat, and local partners of AI Ready ASEAN.
At the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025, AI Class ASEAN was launched as the flagship initiative, with The Honourable Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, in attendance. This highlighted the importance of the e-learning platform and AI Ready ASEAN programme in preparing future generations for an innovative future in the region.
Since launching, AI Ready ASEAN has made significant strides in promoting AI literacy, with over 400,000 beneficiaries in 10 ASEAN countries through its Hour of Code (HoC) campaigns. Regional partners have been crucial in fostering local networks among 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.
Leading Malaysia’s local implementation efforts, UTP-ASEAN Student Association builds on its grassroots legacy of digital empowerment, advocating for SDG 4: Quality Education through STEM workshops and outreach in rural and indigenous communities. In collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and other organizations, the association aims to equip at least 250,000 Malaysians with AI knowledge and promote responsible AI use.
Through initiatives like the HoC campaign and AI training, it strives to develop a generation of ethical AI leaders, targeting 10,640 beneficiaries by the end of August.
“We envision the AI Ready ASEAN programme as a catalyst for AI literacy in Malaysia, empowering youth, educators, and local communities to understand and leverage artificial intelligence in meaningful and ethical ways. In the long term, we hope this initiative will support Malaysia’s national digital transformation agenda, particularly by aligning with the country’s Digital Education Policy. By equipping individuals with foundational and advanced AI knowledge, we aim to inspire more students to pursue careers, research, and innovation in AI and other emerging technologies, thus contributing to the growth of a future-ready digital workforce,” stated Wong Soon Ping, Project Supervisor (AI Ready ASEAN) of UTP-ASEAN Student Association.
For more information on the programme, please visit AI Ready ASEAN.