Towards a responsible AI framework in ASEAN: an Islamic ethical approach

The development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems present complex ethical, social and regulatory challenges worldwide. While regions like the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) have developed clear regulatory strategies, the ASEAN region remains in the early stages of policy implementation, characterised mainly by voluntary guidelines and non-binding principles. This paper critically analyses existing AI policies across ASEAN member states, with a focus on Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, and compares them to global regulatory frameworks. It introduces an original scoring system to assess the strength of enforcement and policy maturity. Furthermore, it proposes the integration of Maqasid al-Shariah, a classical Islamic ethical framework, as a culturally resonant foundation for AI governance in Muslim-majority ASEAN countries. Drawing on recent policy documents, academic literature, and contemporary debates in AI ethics, the paper identifies key gaps and presents a faith-aligned model for responsible AI. Findings indicate that Islamic principles, such as adl (justice), amanah (trust), and maslahah (public good), offer both universal and context-specific tools for developing a regionally relevant, responsible AI framework. The study concludes with policy recommendations and outlines a strategic pathway towards an ASEAN-wide AI governance model that harmonises ethical accountability with technological innovation.