Output1) Research PaperThe paper will be produced based on self funding. The paper will discuss three key areas related to AI and trade. Please see below the structure of the paper.
First, the paper will discuss the current AI governance being discussed in APEC economies, multilateral fora, and international organizations. The paper will briefly examine key governance principles including those being discussed by the OECD, the UN, G20, AI Safety Summit, and the WTO. The examination of existing discussions on AI governance principles will allow identifying the areas related to AI and trade where APEC may contribute to.
Second, the paper will briefly examine the impact of AI on trade. The paper will attempt to identify ways AI can influence international trade, including as a tool for facilitating trade, an incentive to change trade patterns, and a medium to promote the evolution/change of existing trade norms.
Third, the paper will provide suggestions for APEC to consider on what and how it may contribute to in responding to the interests of APEC economies in the context of AI and trade. These suggestions will consider ongoing discussions in other multilateral fora and assessments of the impact of AI on trade to identify areas where APEC can play a meaningful role.
The target audience is the APEC economies, and the paper will be disseminated through DESG in the form of a Consolidated Paper, incorporating the Summary Report of the One-day Hybrid Workshop at SOM3/2025. The paper will be a minimum of 30 pages.
The paper will also assist APEC member economies, especially developing economies by providing insights into AI governance frameworks and trade implications. It will serve as a reference to help economies navigate the evolving AI and trade landscape and opportunities for collaboration within APEC.
The findings and recommendations will be structured to facilitate discussions among APEC economies, encouraging dialogue and cooperation on AI and trade-related matters.
2) One-Day Hybrid Workshop at SOM3 2025One day workshop with at least 6 featured speakers with an understanding of AI in trade, including upskill policy makers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders within the APEC economy.
The workshop aims to enhance the understanding of AI’s role in trade among policymakers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders within APEC economies. The workshop will provide valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges AI presents in global trade. Through the workshop, best practices in incorporating AI into government policies will be shared, enabling policy makers to adapt these insights to formulate effective policies and cultivate a thriving AI-driven government ecosystem.
The interactive panel discussion will further encourage idea-sharing on AI- related trade issues, fostering collaboration among APEC economies.
Stakeholders such as entrepreneurs, AI-firms, also including policy makers and regulators, seeking to optimize AI utilization across APEC member economies will benefit from this knowledge exchange.
The workshop is expected to include three sessions and a panel discussion. The draft theme of the three sessions are: (i) the role of AI technology in trade facilitation, (ii) cooperation on AI standards within APEC economies, and (iii) understanding the diversity in AI governance frameworks and its challenges. The draft theme of the panel discussion is idea-sharing on trade issues related to AI goods and services and how to address them.
The workshop will be held in hybrid format. To maximize capacity building outcomes for both virtual and in-person participants, the consolidate activities suited for online participants into the first or second half of the day (subject to consideration of differences in time zones), with the rest of the day reserved for in-person activities. The one-day hybrid workshop will be planned as a full day event.
We will conduct a survey prior to the workshop to reflect economies' interest, especially that of the co-sponsors, and will design the Workshop to suit its primary focus as the information sharing, capacity building and building sense of foundation for cooperation.
Summary ReportA Summary Report will be prepared to cover the summaries of key presentations, panel discussions, best practices, and recommendations discussed at the One-day Hybrid Workshop at SOM3/2025. The Summary Report will be structured to cover each session and panel discussion in separate sections, with each section including a summary of the key issues and discussions. Please refer to the description of the One-day Hybrid Workshop at SOM3/2025 above for the topics for each session and panel discussion.
The Summary Report is intended to be combined with the Research Paper and published as a Consolidated Report.
The Consolidated Report will serve as a valuable reference document. The Research Paper part will provide insights into AI governance frameworks and trade implications. It will serve as a reference to help economies navigate the evolving AI and trade landscape and opportunities for collaboration within APEC. The Summary Report part will capture key insights, discussions, best practices, and recommendations from the One- day Hybrid Workshop at SOM3/2025. By structuring the report into dedicated sections for each session and panel discussion, it will provide a clear and organized account of the workshop’s key takeaways, enabling policymakers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to revisit and apply the knowledge shared.
The Consolidated Report will enhance the overall impact of APEC’s work on AI and trade by examining expert perspectives, policy considerations, and cooperative opportunities. This will support ongoing and future policy development efforts within APEC economies, especially by assisting developing economies in navigating AI-related trade challenges and fostering greater regional collaboration on AI governance and standards.
Outcome1) Examine existing policies and initiatives, and update participants on the present dynamics surrounding AI in global trade. We will explore how AI could impact trade policies and what actions economies could consider to enhance the positive impacts of AI while mitigating the negative ones in the trade context.
2) Examine the connection between AI policies to facilitate trade and their impact on regional trade and investment flows, which ultimately affects economic cooperation. This will demonstrate the relationship between AI policies and trade. Furthermore, this will also serve as the supporting evidence that coherent and cooperative AI policies could unlock further economic potential.
3) Provide new directions for APEC on what it can do as the most dynamic and flexible economic forum to respond to the critical interests of economies. The project recognizes the need to build capacity to understand AI technologies in trade context and further to foster regional cooperation that will allow discussing coherent and cooperative approaches to AI policies.
BeneficiariesPrimary beneficiaries of this project are policy makers and regulators involved in digital economy with respect to trade and investment. The project's outcomes aim to enhance their understanding of the challenges and opportunities brought about by the AI in the trade context.
Secondary beneficiaries of this project are non-member government officials engaged in issues related to AI and trade, non-participating researchers undertaking AI governance projects, and international organizations dedicated to dealing AI. By offering insights into AI-related discussions via the Consolidated Report, the project will serve as a valuable reference point for further discussions and practical applications.
International organizations are encouraged to contribute as experts in panel discussions, potentially leveraging these conversations to inform and enrich their ongoing initiatives.
