Southeast Asia has immense potential to leverage AI for climate action, but without targeted interventions, it risks deepening inequalities and increasing environmental pressures.
Commissioned by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this report identifies key recommendations to create a safe and sustainable AI-powered future for the region. Some of the key findings include:
- Addressing climate data gaps is critical for combating climate risks. The lack of access to, and quality of, climate data can be mitigated through establishing robust data governance and strengthening local data collection. Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into AI systems is a novel approach that could be explored, tapping into indigenous understanding of the local environment to create inclusive and impactful AI-driven climate strategies.
- AI’s expanding environmental footprint demands urgent attention. The region’s fast-growing data centre market strains energy and water resources. Strengthening governance for sustainable data centres and improving energy efficiency through advanced algorithms are crucial to mitigating these impacts – further solidifying Southeast Asia’s position as an emerging green data centre hub.
- Building an inclusive AI-ready society is essential. AI literacy must be fostered across all levels, from students to smallholder farmers and professionals. In agriculture, women face higher barriers to accessing AI technologies, limiting their ability to adopt these tools – a challenge further exacerbated by urban-rural digital disparities. Closing these gaps is key to unlocking AI’s full potential.
The study was supported by South and Southeast Asia Research and Innovation Hub (SSEARIH), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Government of UK. However, the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Government of UK.
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