Manila, Dec. 18 -- The Philippines aims to champion the ethical and sustainable use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Southeast Asia as it chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.

"Under its Chairship next year, the Philippines will help lead ASEAN in building a future-ready community and bold in its embrace of innovation - where technology serves humanity, and where AI is safely, ethically, responsibly, equitably, and sustainably harnessed to secure a peaceful, prosperous, and people-centered region," said Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Dominic Xavier Imperial on Thursday.

Promoting economic prosperity by utilizing emerging technologies such as AI is among the areas the Philipp...