As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integral to enterprise transformation, a new report from Accenture highlights that responsible AI is shifting from a buzzword to a business imperative—particularly across Asia-Pacific (APAC). In an exclusive interview with iTNews Asia, Tej Randhawa, Responsible AI Lead at Accenture APAC, emphasized that while nearly 78% of companies in Southeast Asia have established responsible AI programs, only 1% are fully equipped to mitigate associated risks. This reveals a major gap between AI strategy and operational execution.
Key concerns such as data privacy, bias, hallucinations, and deepfakes are growing, especially in sectors that handle sensitive data. Randhawa stressed the need for robust data governance, security, and privacy protocols to reduce these risks and responsibly scale AI. The banking sector leads in responsible AI maturity due to strict regulations and advanced risk controls, followed by government agencies in countries like Australia, and industries such as retail, telecom, and life sciences where AI is driving hyper-personalized services.
Challenges include modernizing legacy infrastructure, navigating fragmented regulatory landscapes, and a lack of AI-skilled talent. While mature markets like Singapore are ahead in AI governance, emerging economies still struggle with alignment. Randhawa asserts that responsible AI isn’t just about compliance—it drives innovation, builds trust, and strengthens brand reputation.
To close the gap, Accenture recommends investing in AI-specific cybersecurity, third-party audits, and employee training. Future innovations like explainable AI (XAI), federated learning, and differential privacy will be pivotal. Companies should establish a solid data foundation and integrate responsible AI principles into operations from the outset. By doing so, organizations not only ensure regulatory compliance but also gain competitive advantage and long-term growth in an AI-driven world.
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