The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), with experts emphasizing the need for enhanced regional collaboration and smart governance to ensure the technology benefits all. At the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, leaders and experts highlighted the region’s potential to drive AI innovation and its transformative impact on economies. Nitin Mittal, Deloitte’s global AI leader, underscored the region’s advantages, including its vast talent pool, rapid innovation pace, and substantial infrastructure investments. The summit, held alongside the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, marked a historic moment as member economies adopted a joint AI initiative. This initiative aims to spur economic growth through innovation, enhance AI capabilities, and expand private investment in resilient AI infrastructure. Kim Wan-joong, a special adviser to the 2025 APEC CEO Summit Secretariat, stressed the importance of collective efforts, stating that no single company or country can achieve AI-driven growth alone. He emphasized the need for governments to take a proactive role in fostering collaboration. The potential for deepened AI cooperation between South Korea and China was also highlighted, given their strong trade ties and shared technological ambitions. Lee Young-chan, a professor at Dongguk University, pointed to opportunities for startups in both countries to collaborate on AI research and development, particularly in areas like smart manufacturing and the internet of things. However, Choi Pil-soo, a professor at Sejong University, cautioned against the unchecked substitution of human labor and judgment with AI, urging countries to establish robust AI norms. He called for governments to create mechanisms to manage excessive competition and ensure sustainable AI governance. Mittal echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that AI should not be viewed as a race among nations but as a tool to improve quality of life and drive societal advancement. He lauded China’s AI advancements, noting its potential to benefit the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The recently unveiled recommendations for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) further underscore the country’s commitment to AI innovation and its role in shaping the global AI landscape.