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Digital transformation enhances cross-border economic integration through digital trade agreements, such as DEPA, CPTPP, or RCEP, which contain provisions for personal data protection. Southeast Asia, however, still experiences significant regulatory harmonization challenges due to country disparities in laws. This study examines the legal implications of international digital trade agreements on personal data protection systems in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, as well as their potential impact on the foreign investment climate in these countries. This research uses a normative-comparative juridical approach based on the analysis of 30 purposively selected international and national legal documents. As the Study Findings show, Thailand has the highest level of coherence with international norms concerning data protection, followed by Indonesia (73%) and then the Philippines (54%). This research also proves that legal certainty in data protection has a direct correlation with foreign investment growth in the digital sector. By innovatively contending a new integrated analytical model to link digital trade law and personal data protection, this research contribution offers strategic recommendations for regulating that harmonize the ASEAN region to bolster the secure and inclusive digital investment ecosystem.

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed various sectors, such as healthcare, finance, and transportation. However, it also raises critical challenges regarding data privacy, particularly in large-scale data collection and processing. This study explores the differences and similarities in data privacy regulations governing AI between Europe and Asia, focusing on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and various regulations such as the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) in Japan and the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) in China. Using a qualitative approach with comparative legal analysis, this research evaluates the principles, flexibility, and practical implications of these regulations for fostering responsible AI development. The findings reveal that while GDPR emphasizes individual protection through transparency and explicit consent, Asia adopts a more flexible approach tailored to national needs, balancing innovation and privacy. However, challenges such as harmonizing cross-border data policies and adapting regulations to rapidly evolving technologies persist. This study contributes to the discourse by highlighting the implications of these regulatory differences for global cooperation and offering strategic recommendations for policymakers and industries. In a globalized digital landscape, aligning legal frameworks is essential not only to protect individual rights but also to build public trust in emerging AI technologies.