Malaysia May Join Early Ai Talks At Europe Council

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MP SPEAKS | Malaysia must seriously consider applying to become an observer state to the artificial intelligence committee of the Council of Europe (COE), amid the council’s recently adopted Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law.
The COE’s framework convention was adopted on May 17, 2024, by the COE’s committee of ministers of the Council of Europe at its 133rd session held in Strasbourg, France.
It was opened for signature on the occasion of the conference of ministers of justice in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Sept 5, 2024.
The framework convention is the first-ever legally binding international treaty in this field. It aims to ensure that activities within the lifecycle of AI systems are fully consistent with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, while being conducive to technological progress and innovation.
It adopts an approach based on the severity and likelihood of a negative impact on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law by AI systems.
It also requires a methodology to guide and assist in identifying contexts and applications where the deployment of AI systems could pose risks to the enjoyment of human rights, the functioning of democracy, and the observance of the rule of law, and to assess and mitigate these risks.
The development of this methodology, called Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law Impact Assessment (Huderia), is the main focus of the Convention of AI’s work at present.
There are 16 countries and the European Union which are involved in negotiations on the finer details of the convention and must first ratify. Upon ratification, Malaysia can then consider signing and ratifying it as well.
Potential to be first Asean observer state
However, the gateway to this is for Malaysia to be an observer state where we can enjoy priority access to key information, thinking, and deliberations.
By becoming an observer state of the AI committee of the COE, this would allow Malaysia to have a voice at the table during these early, crucial, and formative years of the framework convention, pending joining the framework convention, when it enters into force.
As of now, no country from the Asean region is an observer state to the COE’s AI committee, and if Malaysia chooses to do so, it will be the first in the region.
Taking into account that Malaysia, at the request the government, has recently been invited to join the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, also prepared within the COE, now to take the step of requesting observer state status of the COE’s AI committee, in connection with the Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, is a logical and complimentary additional action to consider taking and fully consistent with the priority the government is attaching to improved governance of AI in an innovation friendly manner.
Last week, South Korea, a leading name in the world of AI, initiated the process to become an observer state to the AI committee.
Benefits and serious risks
While AI has revolutionised every aspect of daily life by bringing convenience, efficiency, and innovation to our homes, workplaces, and public institutions, however, this technology is not without its risks, particularly in relation to human rights and democracy.
With the increasing use of AI, there is a high risk of erosion of privacy. Advanced technologies such as facial recognition, voice analysis, and behavioural tracking have become common features in social media applications and even in everyday devices.
While these features offer convenience, they also collect vast amounts of personal data. Too often, this data is misused by companies for self-interest, commercial gain, or profit, without proper safeguards or the informed consent of individuals.
There is also a freedom of expression dimension to consider. AI is increasingly used for content moderation online, but these systems do not always understand nuance, culture, or context.
As a result, there may be instances of over-moderation, where legitimate opinions are unfairly removed, or under-moderation, where harmful or false information is left unchecked.
Both situations can directly affect the right to freedom of expression and the healthy exchange of ideas that is essential in any democracy.
Another area of concern involves AI chatbots. Recent reports by the BBC revealed that several mothers shared how AI chatbots had contributed to the tragic deaths of their children by suicide.
This is deeply distressing and shows how AI, when left unregulated or poorly supervised, can have devastating real-world consequences.
The risks of AI are not abstract. They are immediate and deeply personal, especially for vulnerable groups such as children.
Threats to democracy
A lack of governance on AI poses a significant risk to democracy itself. The emergence of deepfakes is a prime example. These are hyper-realistic videos created using AI that depict world leaders or public figures saying things they never said.
Such fabrications can easily spread across social media and appear convincing to the public.
The danger here is clear: decisions, reactions, and even policies could be shaped based on false information, leading to serious and potentially irreversible consequences.
This also includes the use of AI for micro-targeting in politics. Through data analytics, segments of the electorate can be targeted with tailored messages designed to exploit their personal fears, emotions, and biases.
This undermines the principle of informed and rational political choice and weakens the foundation of political democracy itself.
Govt regulations
Having said that, regulations and governance of AI are crucial in a borderless virtual world. The Madani government has taken proactive steps in this regard.
The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department has introduced the Online Safety Act 2025, which aims to promote the safe use of the internet for all persons, particularly children, and to some extent safeguard against the harmful use of AI.
In addition, the Digital Ministry, under the leadership of Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, has established the National AI Office (NAIO).
The NAIO performs a variety of important functions, including overseeing the implementation of the AI Technology Action Plan 2026–2030, which focuses on technology, talent, governance, and infrastructure.
The responsible use of AI is of vital importance. This is not just a technological issue but a moral, social, and human one, upholding the principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. How we choose to govern AI today will determine the kind of society we live in tomorrow.
With all the efforts taken by various ministries on safeguarding, regulating, and governing AI, it is an opportune moment for Malaysia to seriously consider being an observer state to the COE’s AI committee, in connection with the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law.
On Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025, the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) Malaysia National Group convened and hosted a “Regional Asia-Pacific Webinar on Responsible AI”.
It was chaired by M Kula Segaran as chair of the PGA Malaysian National Group and was attended by Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Julau MP Larry Sng, and Senator Jufitri Joha.
The speakers included Dharmain Segaran from the National AI Office, Malaysia; Thiyagu Ganesan, the deputy director-general (Law Reform) at the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister's Department; Vadim Pak, the legal officer from the COE’s AI committee, Peter Barcroft, senior director of the International Peace and Security Program of PGA, and Kasthuri Patto, a former president of the PGA. - Mkini
M Kula Segaran is chairperson of the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) Malaysia National Group, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), and the Ipoh Barat MP.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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