Artificial Intelligence and Development: Perspectives from East Asia

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant dream or a futuristic vision; it is a present reality and an integral part of contemporary technology. While only four or five years ago AI was widely described as an emerging or disruptive technology, it is now rapidly becoming an essential foundation of modern societies. As a result, integrating AI into the development agenda has become critical for achieving sustainable development, and the global development framework beyond 2030 must take this transformation seriously.

East Asia offers a unique blend of technological innovation, sustained economic growth, and distinctive socio‑cultural dynamics. Home to global AI leaders such as China, Japan, and South Korea, the region has been at the forefront of leveraging AI for sustainable development, economic transformation, and the resolution of pressing societal challenges. As a global AI powerhouse, China has embedded AI at the core of its national development strategy, with the explicit goal of becoming the world leader in AI by 2030. Japan’s Society 5.0 initiative envisions a super‑smart society in which AI addresses social challenges such as population aging and labor shortages. South Korea, alongside Japan, is integrating AI into advanced industrial sectors, including automotive manufacturing, electronics, and robotics.

This book analyzes the current and historical growth strategies of East Asia and is structured into four parts. Part I, Introduction and Context, situates AI within broader development debates and regional dynamics. Part II, AI Development and Innovation, examines technological advancement, policy frameworks, and innovation ecosystems shaping AI growth in East Asia. Part III, AI Applications in Key Sectors, focuses on practical applications of AI in areas such as governance, urban issues, healthcare, education, climate change, and disaster management. Part IV, Global Influence and Future Trajectories, explores East Asia’s expanding global role in AI and considers future pathways for development. By situating AI within East Asia’s development experience, the book offers important insights into how the region’s strategies may shape sustainable development trajectories in the decades beyond 2030.