A comparative analysis of artificial intelligence regulation in ASEAN and the European Union

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Abstract

This study conducts a comparative analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation in the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), examining their governance frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and regulatory impact. The EU AI Act (EU, 2024) establishes a legally binding, centralized regulatory model that prioritizes risk-based AI classification, strict compliance obligations, and human rights protections (Huang et al., 2024). In contrast, ASEAN follows a decentralized, voluntary governance approach, promoting flexibility, innovation, and industry self-regulation (Putra, 2024). The analysis highlights the trade-offs between regulatory stringency and innovation flexibility. The EU’s strict enforcement model ensures accountability and consumer protection but poses compliance burdens for businesses, potentially slowing AI adoption. Conversely, ASEAN’s market-driven approach fosters rapid AI deployment but raises concerns about regulatory fragmentation, ethical risks, and cross-border governance inconsistencies. These findings are crucial for policymakers and businesses navigating AI governance complexities. As AI continues to evolve globally, harmonizing regulatory approaches and establishing mutual recognition mechanisms between regions could enhance AI accountability while supporting innovation, shaping a more cohesive global AI governance landscape.

Keywords: AI Regulation, EU AI Act, ASEAN AI Governance, Regulatory Compliance, Cross-Border AI Governance

Authors’ individual contribution: Conceptualization — Y.L.; Methodology — Y.L. and F.H.T.; Resources — Y.L. and F.H.T.; Writing — Original Draft — Y.L.; Writing — Review & Editing — Y.L. and F.H.T.; Supervision — F.H.T.; Project Administration — Y.L. and F.H.T.

Declaration of conflicting interests: The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

JEL Classification: F53, K24, K33

Received: 01.04.2025
Revised: 03.07.2025; 31.10.2025
Accepted: 03.12.2025
Published online: 05.12.2025

How to cite this paper: Lu, Y., & Tie, F. H. (2025). A comparative analysis of artificial intelligence regulation in ASEAN and the European Union [Special issue]. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 14(4), 401–411. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv14i4siart16