CONVERGE 2024: Indo-Pacific Forum Unveils Key Insights on Critical Technologies, AI, and Cybersecurity
Major Concerns Emerge Over AI Weaponization, China’s Role in Technology, and Talent Gaps in Semiconductors
Tokyo, Japan – October 17, 2024 – At CONVERGE 2024: The Indo-Pacific Critical Technologies Forum, held in Tokyo on October 10-11, 2024, experts from across the region gathered to address the future of critical technologies, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and the semiconductor industry. Hosted by Pacific Forum in partnership with the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, and with support from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, the forum highlighted the urgent need for a secure and interoperable tech environment across the Indo-Pacific.
Critical Takeaways from CONVERGE 2024
- AI’s Dual Role in CybersecurityAI is seen as a double-edged sword in the cybersecurity landscape. While its capabilities in analyzing vast datasets and enhancing cyber defense are unparalleled, AI is also being increasingly exploited for malicious purposes. Threat actors are using AI for phishing, malware development, and cyber espionage, putting the semiconductor industry – critical to AI’s operation – at greater risk. As one participant stated: “We are seeing highly personalized phishing attacks that are becoming almost indistinguishable, and that’s just the beginning of AI misuse in cybersecurity.”
- China’s Growing Technological InfluenceChina’s leadership in critical technologies continues to divide opinion. While Southeast Asian nations see China as an investment opportunity, countries like the US and Australia are increasingly wary of its strategic intent. China’s export control of rare materials like graphite, gallium, and germanium has raised concerns about supply chain disruptions and economic security in the region. The forum discussed how diversifying tech supply chains, particularly for semiconductors, could benefit nations like India, while also posing challenges for Southeast Asia. “China’s rise as a tech power is both an opportunity and a risk,” said one expert. “Countries need to balance economic interests with strategic security concerns.”
- Regulatory Frictions & International CollaborationRegulatory inconsistencies across borders, particularly in AI and semiconductor governance, are impeding international partnerships. The absence of harmonized frameworks for AI data protection, IP rights, and ethical standards is leading to fragmentation. The forum called for a regional framework that aligns regulatory standards while respecting local contexts and cultural values. Discussions underscored the difficulty of balancing national security and economic growth when managing technology exports and innovation cycles.
- Talent Shortages in AI and SemiconductorsThe Indo-Pacific faces a critical shortage of skilled labor in AI and semiconductor sectors, which is stalling innovation. The region’s brain drain and inadequate frameworks for talent mobility exacerbate this issue. The forum emphasized the need for public-private-academic collaboration to close this gap and sustain long-term innovation. Collaborative initiatives with global tech companies, such as Microsoft’s AI skilling programs, were highlighted as successful models for addressing this challenge. The forum stressed the urgency of building domestic educational programs to foster talent in emerging markets.
- Building Trust in AI GovernancePublic trust in AI systems remains a significant challenge, particularly in light of geopolitical rivalries between the US and China. The forum emphasized that AI governance frameworks should prioritize transparency, human rights, and privacy protections to gain public confidence. Participants discussed the need for adversarial testing and benchmarking of AI systems, particularly for military applications. Japan and Singapore were cited as leaders in developing robust AI governance frameworks that integrate national security concerns with civil sector applications.
Insights and Future Directions
The outcomes from CONVERGE 2024 will contribute to shaping the Indo-Pacific’s future tech landscape. With AI and semiconductors driving both economic security and innovation, the forum’s discussions underscored the urgency of addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, regulatory harmonization, and the human capital crisis.Brad Glosserman, Senior Advisor at Pacific Forum, remarked: “The countries that dominate these critical technologies will be the ones that write the rules.” This sentiment encapsulates the high stakes for nations across the Indo-Pacific as they navigate a rapidly evolving tech landscape fraught with geopolitical tensions and economic opportunities. Pacific Forum and its partners will continue to advance these conversations, fostering a collaborative and resilient regional innovation ecosystem.
Converge Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WsVVv00Z4LPVoRgtH5BDj7l7lEMcbv7P?usp=sharing
Converge Experts Interviews: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14KwOZvw1zAhCNmvnUHmbNxfq7E323NZc?usp=sharing
About Pacific Forum
Pacific Forum is a non-profit think tank fostering dialogue, cooperation, and policy shaping in the Indo-Pacific region. For more information, visit https://pacforum.org/.
About TECO
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office represents Taiwan in the United States, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between the two nations.
Shanna Khayat