Southeast Asia to be a Key Market in AI’s Expansion
Businesses must urgently adapt to explore and align AI capabilities with their core objectives to leverage the rapid advancements in technology. VST ECS Phils., Inc. CEO and President Jimmy Go emphasized the importance of understanding how AI can meet unique business goals, such as reducing operational costs, enhancing customer experience, streamlining supply chains, and accelerating innovation. He spoke at the 8th CXO Tech Summit held at Shangri-La Boracay.
Industry analysts predict that the AI market will contribute nearly USD 2 trillion, or approximately PHP 116.304 trillion, to the global economy by 2030. Southeast Asia is expected to be at the forefront of this adoption wave, driven by its young, digitally savvy population, improving digital infrastructure, business agility, and consumer enthusiasm.
Go referenced a Boston Consulting Group study indicating that 85 percent of business leaders in Southeast Asia view AI as the most critical factor for competitiveness, a figure that exceeds the global average. This shift is crucial as the world transitions into an era of Agentic AI, which refers to autonomous systems capable of decision-making and collaboration.
He described this period as the dawn of the Augmented Enterprise, where technology is strategically integrated to enhance human capabilities. Go noted that traditional strategies are insufficient, as AI fundamentally alters business dynamics. He warned that decisions made today will shape the future of businesses, with competitive advantages going to those who act decisively and invest wisely.
The new landscape of the Augmented Enterprise also introduces challenges related to data security, system integration, and ethical governance, necessitating a renewed focus on the human element. Upskilling the workforce to be AI-literate is essential, along with nurturing talent in areas that AI cannot replicate, such as critical thinking, creativity, and strategic leadership.
Go concluded by stating that the future is not about man versus machine, but rather man with machine.
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