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Artificial Intelligence in Brunei


Last edited July 2nd, 2025 9:17 PM

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General


Artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to be central to Brunei's next Digital Economy Master Plan, which will follow the current plan wrapping up in 2025. Brunei is currently preparing a Data and AI Strategy as a national roadmap defining its long-term approach to AI. AI is seen as a key enabler for enhancing public services and expanding access to healthcare and education. A primary focus for Brunei is on building AI systems that are safe, ethical, and inclusive, recognizing new policy responsibilities that come with AI opportunities.

Governance and Ethical Frameworks


Brunei's Approach to AI Governance


•Brunei adopts a "flexible and innovation-friendly approach" to AI regulation.

•This stance aligns with the ASEAN regional preference for voluntary guidelines over formal legislation.

•While recognizing the potential dangers of AI, Brunei's current governance approach leans towards guidance rather than strict regulation.


Brunei's Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics


•These guidelines were developed by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI).

•Their launch is central to fostering trust in AI.

•They set out national principles for responsible AI adoption, emphasizing transparency, human oversight, risk management, and alignment with national values.


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Development Process


•A 25-member AI Governance and Ethics Working Group was established by AITI in May 2024, comprising members from government, industry, and academia.

•Syafiq Bakar contributed to this group, focusing on AI in education, capacity-building, inclusion, and ethics.

•A Public Consultation Paper (PCP) on the Draft Guide was released on July 9, 2024, seeking feedback from organizations and the public.

•AITI received feedback from 17 representatives from industry, academia, technology communities, and individuals.

•The Guide on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Ethics was officially published by April 2025.

•This process was described as "locally grounded and thoughtful," aiming to make sense for Brunei's unique context rather than simply replicating international models.


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Comparison with European Union (EU) Regulation


•Brunei and the EU share common concerns in AI policy, including ethics, data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion.

•However, they differ on the extent of government oversight.

•The EU introduced the Artificial Intelligence Act in 2024, which is described as the world's first comprehensive legal framework specifically designed to regulate AI.

•The EU's Act employs a risk-based approach, intervening only where necessary, and aims to ensure AI systems are safe, transparent, and ethical.

•The EU believes such regulation is essential to foster citizen and consumer trust and enable broad AI uptake.


National Initiatives and Programs


•Digital Economy Master Plan: AI's role in the post-2025 plan underscores its importance for Brunei's digital future.

•Data and AI Strategy: This is a crucial part of Brunei's broader national roadmap for AI.

•"Building a Future-Ready Mindset" Workshop Series: This series, developed by Syafiq Bakar, engaged various stakeholders in discussions about future readiness and digital learning, which eventually led to his involvement in the AI governance guide.


AI Ready ASEAN Programme


•The program was officially launched in Brunei Darussalam on June 5, 2025.

•It is implemented by the ASEAN Foundation with support from Google.org.

•The initiative aims to engage and empower 5.5 million individuals from all ten ASEAN Member States with essential AI skills.

•In Brunei, the program targets 20,000 individuals and is implemented by Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and Big BWN Project as local partners.

•The program has an inclusive approach, focusing specifically on youth, educators, and parents.

•It is built on an ethical foundation that emphasizes responsible and ethical AI adoption, incorporating practical learning opportunities like the "Hour of Code" workshop through Code.org.

•The goal is to bridge the digital divide and build a digitally literate and AI-ready population across the region.


Applications and Impact of AI in Brunei


•Public Services, Healthcare, and Education: AI is identified as a key enabler for enhancing and expanding access in these critical sectors.

•AI in Education: Discussions on AI's implications for teaching and learning have been ongoing, with efforts to incorporate AI literacy and public engagement, especially with communities not typically involved in these conversations.


AI in Work and Productivity


A survey indicates that AI is already embedded in Bruneian work and study life. Common uses of AI by Bruneians include:

•Writing reports and documents (44.5%)

•Brainstorming strategies (38.2%)

•Research and summarising (36.8%)

•Learning (a third of users)

•Data analysis (24%)


The primary reason for using AI is to improve productivity at work (over 53.7%). This shift from experimentation to integration is considered a significant "cultural shift" in how knowledge is produced and acted upon. Users move from curiosity to utility, solving practical problems.

AI Startups and Innovation


The Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL) supports various AI startups. Examples of AI-focused startups in Brunei include:

•Orca.AI (AI Chatbots)

•Mixplate.ai (AI Marketing)

•Payung Aman (Fraud Detection)

•Rubryx AI (Early Grazing)

•Skyvision (Aerial Data Solutions)

•Alquatic (AI Aquaculture)

•I.lec (AI Mental Health App)

•Team Re-user (AI Vending Machine)

•Tukar (AI Bahasa Brunei Translation)


Key Stakeholders and Events


•Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC): Leading the development of Brunei's Digital Economy Master Plan and Data and AI Strategy.

•Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI): Responsible for developing AI Governance and Ethics Guidelines, leading public consultations, and supporting national AI programs.

•Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB): A local implementing partner for the AI Ready ASEAN Programme.

•ASEAN Foundation: Implements the AI Ready ASEAN Programme across the region.

•Google.org: Provides support for the AI Ready ASEAN Programme.

•Big BWN Project: Another local implementing partner for the AI Ready ASEAN Programme in Brunei.

•Brunei Innovation Lab (BIL): Supports the growth of AI startups in Brunei.

•EU-Brunei Darussalam Partnership Facility: Organized a policy seminar on AI where Brunei's approach was discussed.

•AI Governance Symposium (June 2024): This event marked a public beginning for conversations around AI governance and ethics in Brunei.

•Digital Future Conference & Exhibition (DFCE) 2025: Hosted the launch of the AI Ready ASEAN Programme and featured discussions on "Trustworthy AI".


Challenges and Future Outlook


•A significant challenge is to ensure citizens are not just passive consumers of technology but active participants in shaping it, by building digital confidence, nurturing ethical awareness, and developing relevant skills.

•There is a need to embed ethics, inclusivity, and responsibility into all AI initiatives.

•Ensuring that AI is used thoughtfully, even as it becomes seamlessly integrated into daily processes, is crucial, considering implications for choices, ethics, and impact.

•Efforts must be made to include even skeptical or sidelined individuals in the AI conversation to foster trust.

•Brunei's approach to AI is notably "locally grounded and thoughtful," aiming to make sense for its unique context, people, pace, and policies rather than simply replicating international models.


References


1.'AI will be central to next digital master plan' - The Scoop

2."A Quiet Milestone: Reflections on Contributing to Brunei's AI Governance and Ethics Guide"

3."AI Startups in Brunei supported by BIL (Brunei Innovation Lab)"

4.AITI - AI Governance and Ethics

5.Brunei Launches AI Ready ASEAN Programme To Empower Brunei Citizens With Essential AI Skills | Universiti Teknologi Brunei

6."Trustworthy AI: My Digital Future Conference and Exhibition 2025 Session"

Last updated: 7/20/2025