AI Photo:VCG

The Digital & AI Ministerial Meeting (DMM) of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is expected to take place in South Korea on Monday, serving as an integral part of this year's series of APEC meetings. The importance of this meeting lies not only in the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of current technological advancements but also in its potential to provide a platform for exchange and communication among transpacific countries and regions, which is beneficial for the economic development of the area.

Each year, one of the 21 APEC member economies hosts the APEC meetings and acts as the chair. This year, it falls to South Korea, with the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow." To realize this vision, South Korea has identified three key priorities: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.

Placing "connect" at the forefront is of significant importance. This priority area encompasses not only physical connectivity but also institutional and people-to-people exchanges, playing a constructive role in advancing economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region.

The region is facing challenges in the area of connectivity. These challenges are not primarily due to financial or technological constraints but are increasingly a result of escalating global geopolitical and economic uncertainties, which are creating more pronounced divisions, especially in cutting-edge fields like AI.

The US is actively advancing its AI industry and, at the same time, aims to curb the progress of countries like China in the sector. In recent years, the US has employed export controls and similar measures in an attempt to limit China's access to advanced AI technologies. This approach has disrupted the effective connections within the global high-tech supply chain.

In a report published on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal sought to portray the US AI strategy against China as part of the so-called China-US competition. It suggests that the US and China will present competing AI strategies to Asian nations at the meeting in South Korea, at a time when these nations are picking sides. Such forecasts for China and other Asian nations lack a factual basis, yet they align with a recurring narrative in some US media outlets: exaggerating competitive dynamics and thereby diminishing opportunities for cooperation.

Geopolitical factors have increasingly spilled over from traditional security realms into areas like technological innovation and the digital economy. The US has been pushing AI to the forefront of global competition, which has disrupted the effective links within global supply chains. This challenge is not limited to AI but extends to other cutting-edge sectors, posing similar issues for Asia-Pacific economies.

By placing "connect" at the forefront of its APEC agenda, South Korea seems to recognize the urgent challenges that economies in the region are facing. At the DMM, efforts should focus on enhancing digital and AI connectivity among Asia-Pacific economies.

In response to inquiries about America's AI action plan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on July 24 that China believes that all parties should jointly promote the open and inclusive development of AI for good and for all. "Our emphasis should not be on confrontation and competition, but rather on sharing the dividends of AI and achieving common development."

Asia-Pacific economies are undergoing digital and AI-driven transformation. The region faces broad opportunities, including: enhancing trade and industrial efficiency through intelligent automation and streamlined supply chains; upgrading innovation capacity, particularly in manufacturing, finance and smart city development; and fostering inclusive growth, where AI can help bridge urban-rural and development gaps, empowering businesses.

Asia-Pacific economies exhibit strong complementarity and distinct advantages in digital and AI development. Advanced economies like Japan and South Korea lead in semiconductor manufacturing, cloud infrastructure, and algorithm development. Meanwhile, emerging economies such as China, India, and ASEAN members excel in large-scale AI deployment, rich data ecosystems, and fast-growing tech start-ups. Their advantages in cost, scale, and local innovation can foster synergy across the region. 

The digital economy, which accounts for an estimated 4.5-15.5 percent of global GDP, is projected to underpin approximately 70 percent of new economic value in the coming years, according to APEC data. To fully seize these opportunities, APEC economies should strengthen strategic coordination and synergy. The DMM presents an opportunity for APEC members to address challenges, leverage complementary strengths, and pursue AI-driven economic growth across the region.