The Philippines has called for stronger regional governance, legal frameworks, and cross-border cooperation to address the growing security risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), warning that emerging threats in the digital domain can no longer be managed by countries acting alone.
The call was made by Second Secretary Melissa Anne M. Telan of the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi during the 20th Annual Information Security Summit (AISS) held on 4 December 2025 at Hotel Pullman Aerocity, a major regional gathering of policymakers, diplomats, and cybersecurity experts.
Speaking on a high-level panel on the future of global cybersecurity cooperation, Telan stressed that while AI is accelerating innovation and driving the knowledge economy, it is also introducing complex and fast-evolving risks that demand coordinated responses. She underscored the need for governments to move decisively in shaping norms, rules, and safeguards that can maximize AI’s benefits while mitigating its security implications.
The panel discussion was convened by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and moderated by DSCI Director Atul Kumar. It formed part of AISS, co-organized with the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), India’s leading technology industry body.
Telan was joined by Second Secretary Filippa Sofia Braarud of the Royal Norwegian Embassy and Senior Trade Commissioner Aladin Legault d’Auteuil of Global Affairs Canada. Together, the panelists examined how AI is reshaping national and international cybersecurity frameworks, and why traditional, siloed approaches are increasingly inadequate.
The diplomats agreed that AI-related security threats transcend borders, making collaborative mechanisms essential. These include enhanced information-sharing, shared standards, trusted digital infrastructure, and sustained diplomatic engagement to build collective resilience—particularly as emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing continue to evolve.
Beyond setting norms, Telan emphasized the importance of capacity-building and public–private partnerships to strengthen institutional readiness. She noted that governments must work closely with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that cybersecurity defenses keep pace with technological change.
She also highlighted ongoing initiatives within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aimed at improving cybersecurity preparedness, institutional resilience, and skills development across the region.
With the Philippines set to assume the Chairmanship of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, Telan said Manila intends to place AI governance and security high on the regional agenda, spanning ASEAN’s Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural pillars.
The AISS was convened amid rapid digital transformation and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, providing a platform for countries to exchange views on how best to safeguard the global digital ecosystem in an era of disruptive technologies.