AI-driven tobacco control strategies suggested for ASEAN by Lowy Institute
Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death in Southeast Asia, with approximately 120 million smokers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. To combat this public health crisis, the Lowy Institute, based in Australia, has proposed AI-based solutions for tobacco control in ASEAN. However, harmonizing digital infrastructure for effective AI-based tobacco control requires a multi-faceted approach, addressing the variance in data systems and privacy laws among member states.
Steps to Harmonize Digital Infrastructure for AI-Based Tobacco Control
1. Establish a Unified Framework
To create a region-wide, legally binding framework, ASEAN can leverage the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) to address digital trade, data protection, and cross-border data flows. This framework should include provisions for harmonizing regulatory standards on health data and AI applications. Additionally, developing and implementing consistent data governance standards across ASEAN will ensure data privacy and security while facilitating the use of AI for tobacco control.
2. Promote Cross-Border Data Flows
Encouraging the use of secure and interoperable data exchanges is crucial for integrating health data across borders, essential for effective AI-driven tobacco control initiatives. Addressing the challenges posed by data localization policies in some member states, which can hinder cross-border data flows, is also necessary. Encouraging flexible policies that balance national security concerns with the need for data exchange will help facilitate seamless digital trade and data sharing.
3. Enhance Infrastructure and Technology Capacities
Investing in building scalable digital foundations, including 5G corridors, cloud computing, and AI-ready computing hubs, will ensure that all member states have the necessary infrastructure to support AI applications. Fostering collaboration on AI and cloud computing technologies will also help ensure that these tools are accessible and standardized across ASEAN to support tobacco control efforts.
4. Foster Regional Cooperation and Capacity Building
Developing programs to enhance the capacity of member states in managing AI and data analytics for tobacco control is essential. This includes training and resources for data analysis, AI development, and cybersecurity. Encouraging active collaboration among ASEAN member states to share best practices and address common challenges in AI-based tobacco control will also foster regional cooperation.
5. Address Privacy and Ethical Concerns
Developing ethical frameworks for AI use in tobacco control that respect privacy and human rights will build trust among citizens and ensure that AI applications are used responsibly. Harmonizing privacy laws across ASEAN to ensure they support the use of AI for public health purposes while protecting individual rights is also necessary.
By implementing these measures, ASEAN can effectively harmonize digital infrastructure to support AI-based tobacco control, addressing the challenges posed by variance in data systems and privacy laws. A shared data model could be adopted for a common data-exchange architecture in ASEAN, and a unified data architecture is needed to avoid disjointed efforts in AI-based tobacco control. Common technical standards and codes are needed to underpin a regional data hub, and a Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-based system could ensure consistency in data representation. AI can support smart efforts in controlling tobacco export and use in the region, detect marketing tactics online using natural language processing, predict tobacco smuggling by analyzing customs data, and tailor cessation programs using machine learning on anonymized health data. Capacity-building initiatives are needed to pair mature systems with developing nations for AI-based tobacco control, and ASEAN leaders need to harmonize data-protection laws for AI-driven tobacco control.
- In addition to combating tobacco use in the ASEAN region through AI, the harmonization of digital infrastructure requires a focus on developing ethical frameworks for AI use that ensure privacy and human rights, aligning with the principles of health-and-wellness and responsible technology.
- To further advance AI-based tobacco control initiatives, ASEAN could adopt a shared data model and establish a unified data architecture, leveraging cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), which will enable effective data exchange and analysis for health-related purposes.
