Report on the possible applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve product recall procedures in the region. The report will also include a review of the status of product recall regimes in the APEC region as well as member economies' access to technological tools specifically to AI.

To make it possible, the research work must involve collecting, organizing, processing, and analyzing quantitative data and qualitative information from APEC Consumer Protection agencies or Product Safety Offices about recall systems. This will allow us to obtain the necessary inputs to understand and describe the region's overall current situation in this specific field such as available and non-available statistics on recall systems; procedures and measures being implemented to foster recall of unsafe products, challenges, and opportunities for recall systems using AI.

Activities to achieve the output will include information collection:

(i) Review secondary information available through the Internet: analysis,

(ii) Prepare survey for APEC Consumer Protection Agencies or Product Safety Offices; (iii) In-depth interviews with consumer rights-related offices and e- commerce enterprises, and (iv) Interviews with regional consumer associations (v) Process and analyze all information collected.

The workshop will allow to share the findings and results contained in the Research Report of the project to all interested parties of APEC and other national and international organizations related to the recall procedures and system using AI. Specifically, it is aimed at officials working on issues related to product safety and recalls.

The purpose is twofold. On the one hand, it seeks to obtain feedback from the participants for refining the communication and presentation of the results and information covered by the study. On the other hand, it will make it possible to publicize the scope and findings of the project on a larger scale and to promote the dialogue to increase the interest from various organizations for the future use of the Report as a reference tool for public policies, new projects, advocacy activities, and others. 

Activities to achieve the output will include: Organize the Workshop (overall coordination, logistics, possible attendees mailing, the invitation to panelists, traveling arrangements, agenda, and session methodology, assisting with virtual meetings, post-event evaluation, and others). Conduct the Workshop according to plan. 

The workshop will be held in March 2025 with a duration of 2 full days, during SOM1. The event will be audio and video-recorded only for notetaking by the PO and the contractor.

The agenda might include, preliminarily, the following topics:

1. Understanding Recall Systems in the Asia Pacific Economies. Overview of current recall systems in Asia Pacific countries and discussion on challenges and limitations faced by existing systems.

2. Presentation of the Research Report results. Presentation in charge of the contractor.

3. Exploring Viability: Panel Discussion. Panel discussion with experts from academia, industry, and government on the feasibility and potential benefits of implementing AI in recall systems. Addressing concerns, risks, and ethical considerations. Case studies showcasing successful implementation of AI in recall processes.

4. Technical Considerations and Challenges: Presentation on technical aspects, including data requirements, algorithms, and infrastructure needed for AI-powered recall systems. Discussion on potential technical challenges and how to address them. Discussion on how to promote female participation in the field.

5. Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Overview of existing regulatory frameworks related to recall systems in Asia Pacific countries. Discussion on adapting regulations to accommodate AI technologies while ensuring safety and compliance.

6. Building Partnerships and Collaboration: Presentation on the importance of collaboration between stakeholders including government agencies, industry players, and AI developers. Opportunities for partnerships and collaborative initiatives. Sharing of best practices on the topic.

7. Interactive session to identify key action points and next steps for implementing AI in recall systems. Formation of working groups for continued collaboration about what they gained most from the event and how they can/plan to apply new information, resources, or learning in their roles.

8. Closing Remarks and Conclusion: Summary of key insights and takeaways from the workshop.

This document will present the results of the research work and provide policy recommendations and actions aimed at promoting greater use of AI in recall systems. 

In this regard, the report will include the results of all the previously collected information, the review of the status of product recall regimes in the APEC region, as well as member economies’ access to technological tools, specifically to AI; also, it must include the possible applications of AI to improve product recall procedures in the region and the policy recommendations and actions aim at promoting a greater use of AI in recall systems, considering the Workshop results. The document must include at the end, a summary of the main findings and conclusions of the Final Report, considering approx. 2 to 3 pages. 

The length of the Final Report will be a minimum of 20 pages, excluding annexes, bibliographical references, or others. 

The direct project beneficiaries will be government officials from consumer protection agencies because it aims to improve their capabilities and increase the tools available to them to better address the risk situations faced by the consumers they seek to protect. The indirect project beneficiaries will be private sector representatives and stakeholders from APEC economies, APEC observers and final consumers given that the project seeks to foster their confidence on e-commerce and APEC’s economies responsibility with their personal safety. It will also benefit professionals linked to technology development and academia, since the information provided by them will directly benefit society and the activities carried out by member economies.

In this way, based on the findings identified through the proposed research and the exchange of views in the workshop, it will be possible to offer additional possibilities to improve product recall processes and as a result, improve the social well-being of the people. Also, it could be important to attain an equitable development in the Asia – Pacific region because it intends to provide practical and technological upgrades applicable to every economy.