The ASEAN Foundation is expanding its regional artificial intelligence (AI) training program to equip more than 1.7 million students, K-12 teachers, and university faculty members with practical AI skills by the end of 2028.
AI Ready ASEAN Powered by AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific received official endorsement after it was presented during the Open Session of the 21st ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Education. The program is being carried out in collaboration with AVPN, with support from Google.org and the Asian Development Bank.
The initiative marks the second phase of AI Ready ASEAN, shifting the program’s focus from general AI awareness to hands-on learning. It aims to help teachers and students use AI responsibly in education, research, and preparation for future jobs.
“Phase 1 showed us that ASEAN’s youth, educators, and communities are ready to engage with AI when given the right tools and support,” Dr. Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said. “With Phase 2, now powered by AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, we are moving beyond awareness to embedding practical AI skills across our education systems, so that teachers and students can use AI responsibly and confidently while preparing the region’s future workforce.”
The ASEAN Foundation will work with qualified local implementing partners across ASEAN member states. These organizations will help develop training materials that reflect local needs and deliver AI training to K-12 teachers, college students, and university faculty members.
The foundation will also coordinate with education ministries to make sure the training supports each country’s AI and education priorities. This approach is expected to help schools adopt AI lessons without duplicating programs that are already in place.
“AI literacy is becoming a foundational skill, and educators are at the centre of ensuring learners across Southeast Asia can use the technology responsibly and effectively,” said Marija Ralic, head of Google.org APAC. “Google.org is proud to continue supporting the ASEAN Foundation as AI Ready ASEAN moves from awareness to applied, in-depth training that will benefit millions of students across the region.”
Aside from training, the program will bring together government officials, AI practitioners, academics, civil society groups, international organizations, media, and learners to discuss gaps in AI education. The fourth regional meeting is scheduled for December 2026 in Singapore.
The program supports ASEAN’s regional plans for digital learning, workforce competitiveness, lifelong education, and the responsible use of AI and other emerging technologies.