AI4D Labs Coordination Hub for Asia

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies and societies across Asia, with growing applications in education, healthcare, public services and labour markets. However, many countries in the region continue to face challenges in developing and deploying AI in ways that are ethical, inclusive and responsive to local needs. Limited research and institutional capacity, unequal access to computing infrastructure, fragmented regional collaboration, and a lack of context-specific evidence and guidance can hinder the ability of governments, researchers and innovators to harness AI for sustainable development.

This initiative seeks to strengthen Asia’s AI research-for-development ecosystem through the establishment of three multidisciplinary AI labs and a regional coordination hub. Together, these institutions will generate rigorous, locally relevant research on responsible and inclusive AI while building the skills, partnerships and infrastructure needed to support long-term innovation.

The AI labs will serve as centres of excellence, advancing research, training the next generation of AI leaders, and supporting locally led solutions to development challenges. Complementing their work, the regional hub will foster collaboration across countries and sectors by coordinating research priorities, facilitating knowledge exchange, and connecting researchers, policymakers and practitioners. Through these efforts, the project will help strengthen regional leadership in AI, promote evidence-informed policymaking, and ensure that AI technologies contribute to more equitable and inclusive development outcomes across Asia.