Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippines and Deputy Director Lee Jong Keun, Artificial Intelligence Policy Division from the Ministry of Science and ICT, (MSIT), Korea took centerstage at the Emerging Technologies in the Policy Leaders Forum (PLF) at M360. The session was about Policies for a Digital Future: Maximizing the benefits of emerging technologies and mitigating potential risks to advance Digital Nations in Asia Pacific.

The panel was part of the GSMA Mobile 360 APAC and Policy Leaders Forum 2023 on 07 – 08 September 2023 at the Westin Josun Hotel, Seoul, South Korea. The GSMA is a global organization that represents mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries. It unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop, and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. It envisions to unlock the full power of connectivity for people, industry, and society to thrive.

At the panel, Batapa-Sigue emphasized that policymakers have a crucial role in shaping a future where artificial intelligence (AI) can be utilized effectively and safely. She stressed that beyond setting regulations, there’s a need to create standards that foster trust in digital solutions.

Batapa-Sigue called for responsible handling of digital technologies, including their design and deployment, emphasizing that being prepared to mitigate potential risks is key to securing a digital future.

The insights shared at the forum aim to help guide the creation of policies that support a resilient and trustworthy digital infrastructure, promoting an inclusive, sustainable, and flourishing digital society. This discussion sets a solid groundwork for navigating future digital advancements with foresight and responsible governance.