AI Asia Pacific Institute

What AI Asia Pacific Institute does

AI Asia Pacific Institute (AIAPI) is an international policy research organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Singapore, with a secondary office in San Francisco. The institute studies the implications of artificial intelligence for developing economies across the Asia-Pacific region and produces research publications, policy briefs, discussion papers, and capacity building programs focused on responsible AI development, governance, online safety, and workforce transformation. Its core products include the annual Trustworthy AI study series (2021-present), the State of Artificial Intelligence in the Pacific Islands annual report, the ASEAN-endorsed Discussion Paper on Responsible Development and Use of Generative AI in ASEAN, workforce transformation research, and joint reports such as 'Screens, Systems, and Safeguards' with Access Partnership Institute. The portfolio is structured around four pillars: Research, Policy, Capacity Building, and International Collaboration.

The institute operates on a non-commercial revenue model funded entirely through project-based research contracts and grants from governments and multilateral institutions, including ASEAN, USAID, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, UNESCO, Netsafe New Zealand, and DIFC Academy. It maintains offices at 10 Anson Road #32-02, International Plaza, Singapore, and 28 Geary Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, and operates with a small team of 1-10 employees led by President and Executive Director Kelly Forbes and Board Chair Dr Peter Brimble. The organization has 1-10 employees and serves a customer base of governments, multilateral institutions, academia, and civil society across ASEAN, Pacific Islands, Oceania, East Asia, and South Asia.

The institute's go-to-market is event-driven, leveraging high-profile international forums (APEC, ATxSG, GITEX, AI Seoul Summit, ADB Annual Meetings, UNESCO Global Forum) and direct institutional relationships to secure research commissions and disseminate outputs. Technology and infrastructure are non-proprietary: the institute delivers value through policy expertise, convening, and intellectual credibility rather than software products. It maintains an active digital presence through its website (aiasiapacific.org), LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and a podcast series featuring leading AI academics such as Dr. Toby Walsh, Dr. Stuart Russell, Dr. Luciano Floridi, and Dr. Pedro Domingos.

Name

AI Asia Pacific Institute

Legal name

AI Asia Pacific Institute

Website

https://aiasiapacific.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AI Asia Pacific Institute is a Singapore-based international policy research organization founded in 2019 that produces research, policy briefs, and capacity building programs on responsible AI governance for governments and multilateral institutions across the Asia-Pacific region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services (BPAEAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Responsible AI Policy, Controls & Workflow Management (HDAAAMAG), AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (HDAAAMAA), Documentation & Reporting Automation (Model Cards, Datasheets, Impact Assessments) (HDAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• AI policy research
• Responsible AI governance
• Capacity building programs
• AI ethics advisory
• Workforce transformation research

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Contracts and Grants: The institute operates through contracted research engagements with multilateral organizations such as ASEAN, USAID, Asian Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. It prepares discussion papers, policy briefs, and conducts capacity building programs under these contracts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AI Asia Pacific Institute is an international policy research organization that delivers contract-based research, discussion papers, policy briefs, annual regional reports, and capacity building programs focused on responsible AI development and adoption across the Asia-Pacific. Its work spans AI governance frameworks, workforce transformation, online safety, and AI ethics for governments and multilateral institutions such as ASEAN, USAID, ADB, AIIB, and UNESCO. The institute supplements its research with expert podcast conversations, training workshops, and convening roles at forums such as APEC and UN regional symposiums.

Product overview

The AI Asia Pacific Institute is an international policy research organization focused on responsible AI development and adoption in the Asia-Pacific region. Rather than offering a unified software product, the organization provides a portfolio of research publications, policy papers, and capacity building programs. Their core offerings include annual Trustworthy AI studies, discussion papers on generative AI governance (notably the ASEAN-endorsed discussion paper on responsible generative AI development), workforce transformation research, and online safety studies. They supplement these with expert conversation series, podcasts, and training programs. The portfolio is structured around four pillars: Research (annual reports and studies), Policy (discussion papers and policy briefs), Capacity Building (training programs and workshops), and International Collaboration (partnerships with organizations like ASEAN, USAID, Netsafe New Zealand, and UNESCO).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Capacity Building Programs Training and capacity building programs for governments, multilateral institutions, and partner organizations on responsible AI development, governance, and adoption; delivered as contracted programs such as the intensive AIIB training in Beijing.
• Contracted Policy Research and Advisory Services Contract-based research and advisory engagements producing discussion papers, policy briefs, and regional studies on responsible AI governance — for example, the ASEAN & USAID-commissioned Discussion Paper on Generative AI endorsed by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation.
• Discussion Paper: Responsible Development and Use of Generative AI in ASEAN Policy discussion paper commissioned by ASEAN and USAID providing guidance on responsible generative AI development and use in ASEAN, endorsed by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation.
• 2024 State of Artificial Intelligence in the Pacific Islands Annual report examining the state of Artificial Intelligence in the Asia-Pacific, focusing on AI governance across 16 Pacific Island nations, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Annual Trustworthy AI Series (2021–2023) Annual studies (2021, 2022, 2023) examining the state of trustworthy AI in the Asia-Pacific, covering governance frameworks, ethical principles, and implementation strategies.
• 2025 AI and Workforce Transformation: Unlocking Pathways to Inclusive Growth in ASEAN Developing Economies Research report analyzing how generative AI is reshaping jobs and skills in ASEAN developing economies, examining risks of workforce disruption and opportunities for inclusive growth.
• Screens, Systems, and Safeguards: Online Harms, AI, and the Governance of Children's Digital Lives in ASEAN Joint report with Access Partnership Institute examining how ASEAN governments are responding to online harms affecting children and young people, with focus on generative AI and recommender systems.
• AI and Online Safety: Emerging Risks and Opportunities Research publication with Netsafe New Zealand analyzing the impact of AI on online safety, identifying trends, challenges, and strategies to address online harms including AI-related issues.
• Policy Brief: ChatGPT and Other Generative AI Systems Policy brief analyzing ChatGPT and other generative AI systems, covering risks and recommendations for regulators and policymakers.
• Fairness in AI: Impact and Opportunities Research publication examining fairness considerations in AI systems, the impact on different stakeholders, and opportunities for equitable AI adoption.

Quantifiable outcome

• Discussion Paper on Responsible Development and Use of Generative AI in ASEAN endorsed by ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• ASEAN & USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe AI Asia Pacific Institute was contracted by ASEAN and USAID to prepare a Discussion Paper on the Responsible Development and Use of Generative AI in ASEAN. The work involved collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and was endorsed by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation.
• Netsafe New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration to analyze the impact of AI on online safety, identifying trends, challenges, and strategies to address online harms including AI-related issues. Collaboration includes joint discussion paper development and Netsafety Week activities.
• DIFC Academy (Dubai International Financial Centre)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to advance AI education and thought leadership in the region. The partnership includes a Memorandum of Understanding for collaborative initiatives in AI education.
• International Science CouncilstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the third edition of 'Preparing National Research Ecosystems for AI' publication, studying the impact of AI-enabled science in Fiji and Singapore.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAPI contributed to ADB's Insights Thursday session on AI in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States and Small Island Developing States. Over 120 participants attended the session.
• Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI Asia Pacific Institute supported AIIB in delivering an intensive internal AI capacity building programme in Beijing.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI Asia Pacific Institute is part of UNESCO's Global CSO and Academic Network on AI Ethics and Policy. Also participates in UNESCO AI ethics initiatives.
• APEC Senior OfficialsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAPI participated in the first APEC Senior Officials' Meeting held in Guangzhou to discuss AI policy and regional cooperation.
• LinkedInstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted roundtable on 'AI and Workforce Transformation—ASEAN's Defining Challenge and Opportunity' bringing together ASEAN Secretariat, ADB, UN, and other stakeholders.
• Access Partnership InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of report 'Screens, Systems, and Safeguards: Online Harms, Artificial Intelligence, and the Governance of Children's Digital Lives in ASEAN' examining how ASEAN governments are responding to online harms affecting children.
• Springer Nature / AI and Ethics JournalstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to publish an annual topical collection in the AI and Ethics Journal.
• Asia Society Policy InstitutestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAPI contributed to ASPI paper 'Designing Metrics to Enable Trusted AI Ecosystems in Asia' and participated in roundtables at India AI Impact Summit 2026.
• Commonwealth Digital RoadshowstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed to Commonwealth Digital Roadshow in Vanuatu (March 2026) bringing together senior government officials and regional policymakers.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UNESCO: AIAPI is a member of UNESCO's Global CSO and Academic Network on AI Ethics and Policy; UNESCO is the primary convener on global AI ethics frameworks including the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, defining the policy space AIAPI serves.
• OECD AI Policy Observatory: Multilateral AI policy observatory producing comparative governance frameworks used by governments worldwide; a much larger incumbent in the same responsible AI policy advisory space that AIAPI operates in at the regional level.
• World Economic Forum (Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution): Operates AI governance initiatives across multiple jurisdictions producing policy frameworks and toolkits; a larger incumbent whose AI C4IR network engages many of the same regulators and multilateral institutions AIAPI works with.

Direct peers

• Asia Society Policy Institute: Asia-focused policy think tank where AIAPI contributed to 'Designing Metrics to Enable Trusted AI Ecosystems in Asia' and participated in India AI Impact Summit roundtables; comparable in operating across Asian jurisdictions on AI policy frameworks.
• AI Now Institute: Independent research institute producing policy research on AI governance, accountability, and social implications; directly comparable as a non-product, research-driven policy organization working with regulators and civil society on AI governance.
• Access Partnership: Global tech and AI policy advisory firm that co-authored AIAPI's 'Screens, Systems, and Safeguards' report on children's digital lives in ASEAN; both operate as policy advisory organizations serving governments and multilateral clients on AI governance and regulation.
• Responsible AI Institute: Organization developing responsible AI certification and governance frameworks for organizations deploying AI systems; directly comparable in offering governance advisory and assurance frameworks, though oriented toward enterprise rather than government clients.

Emerging players

• Centre for AI and Digital Ethics (CAIDE), University of Melbourne: Academic research centre producing AI ethics policy work in the Asia-Pacific; comparable in producing research on responsible AI in the region but operating from an academic rather than independent policy institute base.
• Future of Privacy Forum: Nonprofit focused on data privacy and emerging technology policy with comparable convening and policy publication output; overlaps on AI governance and online harms themes relevant to AIAPI's Netsafe New Zealand collaboration.

Regional players

• Singapore IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority): Singapore's regulatory body responsible for AI governance frameworks including the Model AI Governance Framework; while a regulator rather than an advisory body, it is the institutional counterpart for AIAPI's Singapore-based work and shapes the same policy environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aiasiapacific
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aiasiapacificinstitute

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AI Asia Pacific Institute