In the context of the AI revolution continuing to spread around the world, Asia has emerged as one of the most dynamic development centers, even surpassing many other regions in terms of application speed and investment level. In ASEAN and major economies such as China, Japan, and South Korea, AI is no longer a technology of the future but is a driving force for growth, economic and social transformation in 2026.
A prominent trend is the formation of an "AI gap" between regions, in which China and ASEAN are rapidly surpassing many countries in the US and Europe in terms of AI deployment speed in business and manufacturing. The reason comes from strong investment, readily available infrastructure and flexible policy frameworks, helping these economies adapt quickly to new technologies.
Notably in Singapore, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) are the leading forces in AI application. A Salesforce report shows that almost all SMBs in Singapore are using or testing AI, with more than 94% admitting that this technology brings revenue growth and improves customer experience.
Not only applying at the business level, Asian business leaders also put AI at the top priority in their development strategy.According to the APAC Governance Outlook 2026 report, 48% of business leaders in Asia consider AI as the number one strategic priority in 2026, surpassing both traditional growth targets and cyber security concerns.
In the ASEAN region, the outlook for AI in 2026 is also very positive.Studies show that nearly 90% of organizations in Southeast Asia will deploy agent AI systems before 2026, marking a shift from small-scale testing to widespread application in businesses to increase productivity and promote innovation.
In parallel with applying technology, ASEAN has begun to build mechanisms to promote public-private partnerships in the field of AI. In addition, efforts to promote responsible AI have also been strengthened. A report from the ASEAN Business Advisory Council emphasized that this region is shaping a common approach to ensure AI serves humans with clear goals, based on ethical principles and inclusive practices, with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia... being pioneers in strengthening cooperation and building national AI strategies.
In Vietnam, AI is also considered one of the pillars of digital transformation and innovation. At Vietnam International Digital Week 2025, leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology emphasized their commitment to developing AI in a direction that focuses on people, with 4 main pillars: Strong AI institutions, modern infrastructure, AI talents and AI culture suitable for social values.
The AI trend in Asia in 2026 promises to bring great opportunities for the digital economy, smart manufacturing, healthcare, education and many other fields. Businesses in the region are forecast to use AI to increase productivity, improve service quality and open up new business models, thereby contributing to enhancing global competitiveness.
However, along with opportunities are significant challenges in AI governance, data security, law and ethics, requiring countries and organizations to coordinate in building appropriate legal frameworks, safety standards and educational platforms. This is not only to protect user rights but also to help the digital economy of the region develop sustainably and responsibly in the long term.
