Business
How AI is Driving Profitable Growth in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s digital economy is experiencing remarkable growth, reaching $11 billion in profitability, a 2.5x increase since 2022.
This dynamism is largely driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The region benefits from a young, digitally-native population eager to adopt AI, strong government support for AI frameworks and R&D investment, and a vibrant ecosystem of innovative startups.
Strategic investments in Generative AI, talent development, AI infrastructure, and a supportive policy environment are crucial for Southeast Asia to become a global AI leader, driving economic transformation and societal progress.
Key Points
- The regional digital economy has achieved a 10x increase in revenue since 2016, with profitability rising from $4 billion in 2022 to $11 billion in 2024.
- Southeast Asia’s population shows a high level of AI readiness, with Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia ranking among the top countries globally for AI-related interest and searches.
- Significant capital is flowing into the region, with over $30 billion committed in the first half of 2024 alone to build AI-ready data centers across Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.
- Generative AI (GenAI) is delivering rapid commercial value; 70% of regional organizations report a positive return on investment within 12 months of implementation.
- Sector-specific benefits of AI are already visible, including personalized e-commerce recommendations, enhanced travel tools, and accelerated mobile game development.
Southeast Asian organizations are achieving a positive return on investment (ROI) on Generative AI (GenAI) workflows significantly faster than other regions—with 70% reporting positive ROI within 12 months.
The specific regional characteristics that allow for this accelerated success include:
- A Digitally Native and Receptive Population: The region is home to a young, digitally native population that is quick to embrace AI-powered solutions. There is a high volume of AI-related interest, with countries like Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia ranking among the top globally for AI-related searches. Crucially, the document notes a regional culture of “acceptance and exploration,” where there is greater interest in the benefits of AI than apprehension regarding its risks.
- Proactive Government Support and Flexible Regulation: Southeast Asian governments are actively fostering AI adoption through:
- National AI Frameworks: Developing clear strategic directions for AI.
- Regulatory Sandboxes: Implementing environments that allow for experimentation and innovation without the constraints of traditional regulation.
- Increased R&D Funding: Directing capital toward research and development.
- Massive Infrastructure Investment: The region is rapidly building the physical foundations necessary for AI. In the first half of 2024 alone, over US$30 billion was committed to building AI-ready data centers in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. This influx of capital facilitates accelerated computing and AI services, which are essential for moving projects from idea to production quickly.
- A Vibrant Ecosystem of Innovators: There is a strong spirit of innovation across both startups and established sectors:
- Startups: Companies like Lytehouse AI, DiMuto, and CarbonSync are applying AI to diverse challenges in security, agriculture, and sustainability.
- Gaming Industry: The region accounts for 12% of all global mobile game downloads, demonstrating a level of technical prowess and creative energy that allows these organizations to use GenAI to lower development costs and expand libraries rapidly.
Generative AI: Transforming Industries and Unlocking New Value
Generative AI (GenAI), capable of producing innovative content and automating intricate tasks, is already showcasing its transformative potential to revolutionize industries and deliver measurable value across the region.
In e-commerce, GenAI powers personalized product recommendations, driving increased customer engagement, higher gross merchandise value (GMV) and larger basket sizes. The travel sector is also benefiting from AI-powered tools that enhance customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth. Similarly, the gaming industry is using GenAI to accelerate game development and build larger game libraries at lower costs, ultimately contributing to increased GMV.
Beyond these specific sectors, artificial intelligence is enhancing broader business functions across all industries. What’s truly remarkable is the speed at which companies in Southeast Asia are realizing value from GenAI.
The report revealed that most organizations can move from an initial idea to production within six months. Impressively, 7 out of 10 organizations in Southeast Asia report a positive return on investment (ROI) attributable to GenAI workflows within 12 months of implementation