Promoting free flows via competition law: An AI industry blueprint for Southeast Asia

Concerns about multinational technology companies and their antitrust activities are increasing, particularly in the US and the European Union. However, this issue has not been given much attention in the context of ASEAN, despite being the fifth largest economy in the world. In this article, we discuss how a common competition law framework for ASEAN presents multiple benefits for the AI industry, spanning regulatory, economic, and innovation-related aspects. We argue that harmonizing competition laws across the region through a unified framework—promoting the free flow of data, compute, and AI models—would streamline regulatory compliance for AI firms and create a level playing field, preventing monopolistic practices and enhancing consumer protection. To support this, we propose a set of technical rules for the AI industry to be integrated in the common legal framework, which can stimulate not only regional AI governance, but drive responsible AI development and regional economic growth. • ASEAN lacks a unified competition law framework for the AI industry's growth. • A common framework can lower costs and ensure fair competition in ASEAN. • Harmonizing laws aids cross-border AI innovation and protects smaller firms. • Data, compute, and talent are key AI inputs needing free flow across ASEAN. • Embedding antitrust rules in ASEAN AI governance balances ethics and fairness.