Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, the newly appointed center director of INNOTECH, delivers the keynote speech at the 2025 Southeast Asian School Leadership Program meet this week. Photo by SEAMEO INNOTECH.
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) is pushing for a unified framework on artificial intelligence (AI) to help education systems across Southeast Asia adapt to rapid technological change.
Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, the newly appointed center director of INNOTECH, said the proposed Regional Policy Framework for AI in Education (AIEd) will ensure that AI is used responsibly, ethically, and equitably in classrooms throughout the region.
“The harmonization of standards and regulations, along with a stronger innovation ecosystem, are essential for the safe and ethical use of AI in schools,” Ravago said in her keynote speech at the 2025 Southeast Asian School Leadership Program meet this week.
“With a regional framework, we can ensure that learning remains inclusive and future-ready,” she added.
Ravago emphasized that without coordinated efforts, AI implementation could become fragmented, leading to uneven progress and widening educational disparities. A regional framework, she said, would help align policies and strategies among member countries to achieve common educational goals.
The initiative comes at a time when Southeast Asia is emerging as a global hub for innovation and labor mobility. As industries increasingly adopt AI, education systems must evolve to prepare students with the skills needed for a tech-driven future.
INNOTECH aims to finalize the AIEd framework this year, Ravago said. It will provide guidance on AI integration in classrooms, addressing critical issues such as data privacy, teacher roles, and ethical safeguards.
“In this fast-evolving world, education cannot remain isolated,” Ravago said. “Our goal is to transform education into a strategic driver of mobility, equity, and sustainable development.”
To ensure the framework reflects the region’s diversity, INNOTECH will work closely with ministries of education, policy experts and partner institutions across Southeast Asia.
SEAMEO INNOTECH will host its flagship event, the INNOTECH International Conference, on May 16, 2025, at The Manila Hotel. The conference will bring together ministers of education and key stakeholders to discuss the future of learning in the age of AI.
With the theme “AI in Education: Unlocking Potential Through Accessible and Equitable Learning,” the event will explore how AI can enhance learning oautcomes, reduce disparities, and ensure no learner is left behind.
A key highlight of the conference will be a ceremonial commitment by education leaders to support the development and adoption of the AIEd framework—a significant step toward a more unified and collaborative approach to AI in education across Southeast Asia.
