Prospects and Challenges of Cyber and AI Governance in the QUAD, APEC, and G7
摘要
As digital technologies increasingly permeate daily lives and multiple societal domains, multilateral regulatory efforts have also multiplied. While Western-led initiatives often dominate scholarly attention, understanding digital governance in the vibrant Asia-Pacific region is also necessary. This chapter explores cyber and AI governance in the Asia-Pacific through three key institutions: the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Group of 7 (G7). Using a qualitative approach grounded in official statements, policy documents, and previous research, the chapter examines each framework’s initiatives and regulatory outcomes. It finds that despite growing interest in the topic and a multitude of activities undertaken by these institutions, multilateral governance faces persistent challenges, originating in geopolitical tensions, divergent digital visions, and weak institutional enforcement. These factors hinder the development of cohesive regulations and limit the institutions’ ability to deliver effective outcomes. Nevertheless, while fragmentation may remain a defining feature of Asia-Pacific cyber governance for the foreseeable future, coordinated and complementary efforts across institutions—integrated with bilateral agreements, sectoral standards, and confidence-building measures—could enhance regulatory coherence.