Why Southeast Asian firms need their own AI playbook
Despite rising AI investment, few organisations are creating enterprise-wide value. Strong digital foundations, skilled teams and CEO backing are proving critical to moving beyond pilot projects.
Southeast Asian firms are increasingly investing in AI but are struggling to achieve significant enterprise-wide value, according to Accenture. While 87% of organisations plan to increase AI investments, only 13% have reported significant business outcomes. The issue often stems from deploying AI agents broadly across functions rather than focusing on high-impact decision points, spending more on technology than people, and failing to recognize early pilots as genuine transformation.
In Southeast Asia, building a strong AI foundation comes with unique challenges, such as a shortage of specialist AI engineers, a digitally literate but AI-untrained workforce, and a fragmented regulatory landscape. To overcome these hurdles, organizations need to prioritize a secure digital core, quality data, responsible AI governance, strong CEO backing, and skilled teams.
Additionally, they must address talent gaps through training and job design, build AI models tailored to regional needs, and modernize legacy infrastructure to support AI deployment.
Brief written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
