Kevin Tan joins regional call for tougher AI defenses, cross-border policing amid rising cyber fraud

Asia-Pacific business leaders are warning of a new wave of sophisticated cyber fraud and urging governments to strengthen cooperation on artificial intelligence governance and cross-border law enforcement.

At the APEC Business Advisory Council’s (ABAC) third meeting in Bangkok, delegates called for greater alignment of data privacy rules and digital standards to support the safe development of AI across member economies.

Representing the Philippines, Alliance Global president and CEO Kevin Tan backed stronger local safeguards to protect citizens from technological misuse without stifling innovation.

Tan said the recommendation “reinforces the need to strengthen the country’s governance framework, encouraging innovation while establishing safeguards that build public trust and better protect Filipinos from the misuse of AI and other emerging digital technologies.”

ABAC said cyber-enabled crimes increasingly operate across multiple jurisdictions, underscoring the need for closer policy coordination and law enforcement cooperation across the region.

The council also said AI regulation should be accompanied by investments in digital education and workforce development. Tan urged the Philippines to adopt best practices from regional peers and expand efforts to prepare workers for an AI-driven economy.

“Preparing Filipino workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and students for the opportunities and risks presented by AI will be essential to ensuring the country remains competitive and that more Filipinos can benefit from the next wave of technological transformation,” Tan said.

The recommendations, drafted under the theme “Openness. Connectivity. Synergy.”, will be submitted to APEC leaders ahead of their summit in China in November.