Artificial Intelligence · Timor-Leste
AI regulation in Timor-Leste: laws & policy (2026)
Timor-Leste shaded by its artificial intelligence status
AI in Timor-Leste: no framework, anchored by No dedicated AI law, regulation, or adopted national AI strategy. AI is being addressed through a UNESCO-supported AI Readiness Assessment (RAM) and the broader Timor Digital 2032 digital strategy (TIC Timor), neither of which constitutes binding AI governance. Timor-Leste endorsed the non-binding UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021)..
As of 2026, Timor-Leste has no AI-specific legislation, no sectoral AI rules, and no formally adopted national AI strategy. The government is taking a preparatory, diagnostic approach: in 2025 it completed its first national AI Readiness Assessment with UNESCO, while AI considerations are being folded into the revised Timor Digital 2032 plan. Foundational enablers such as a general personal data protection law are still absent, and a cybercrime bill remains in draft.
Key points
Timor-Leste has not enacted or formally tabled any AI-specific statute. AI-related protections are piecemeal, drawing on constitutional privacy provisions and consultation of regional (ASEAN) frameworks rather than a domestic AI regime.
Timor-Leste's first national AI Readiness Assessment was conducted in 2025 using UNESCO's RAM methodology, with multi-stakeholder workshops on 8-9 April and 27 May 2025 to map regulatory, social, economic and infrastructural readiness and produce a roadmap for ethical AI.
Timor-Leste is among the 194 UNESCO Member States that adopted the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which serves as the blueprint for its readiness work, but this is a non-binding international instrument, not domestic law.
The main strategic document, Timor Digital 2032 (2023-2032) under TIC Timor, does not explicitly mention AI but is being revised to incorporate it; AI is seen as relevant to e-governance, health, education and agriculture, supported by digital ID and interoperability investments.
Timor-Leste has no general personal data protection law. The Ministry of Justice released a draft Cybercrime Law in 2025 (criticised by civil society over online-freedom and privacy concerns) and says it is working on a Data Protection Law, foundational gaps for any future AI governance.
Timor-Leste participated as an observer in the ASEAN AI Summit 2025 (aligned with its ASEAN accession track) and, in December 2025, signed a strategic partnership with technology firm Zchwantech to co-develop a 'sovereign AI-powered' digital nation under the Timor Digital 2032 framework.
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