Negeri Sembilan is positioning itself as a major regional data and technology hub with the development of the Nexus Yang Green Data Centre Campus, a RM20 billion hyperscale, AI-ready project at the NS Semiconductor Valley. The green campus is expected to strengthen Malaysia’s digital infrastructure, support AI and cloud computing, create high-skilled jobs, and drive sustainable, long-term economic growth.

As global trade, technology and security tensions deepen, Thailand must position itself as an “ally to all” rather than take sides, said Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Highlighting extreme global polarisation, she called for issue-based trade negotiations, balanced import-export strategies, stronger ASEAN cooperation, and a renewed focus on technology, green economy and security to safeguard Thailand’s long-term competitiveness.

Singapore is rapidly cementing its position as a regional AI hub, with more than 60 AI centres of excellence spanning sectors from finance and transport to gaming and agriculture. Backed by a new $1 billion national AI plan, global firms such as UBS, Grab, Google DeepMind and Microsoft are expanding local research, talent development and enterprise AI adoption—signalling the city-state’s growing role in shaping applied and frontier AI in Asia.

Charoen Pokphand Group has unveiled a wide-ranging plan to help position Thailand as a regional technology and economic hub, with a strong focus on human capital, startups and advanced infrastructure. Speaking on the strategy, Suphachai Chearavanont said the group aims to transform CP businesses into learning centres, support the creation of 200,000 student startups through a proposed government fund, and develop Bangkok into an innovation cluster anchored on digital, AI, robotics, bio and space technologies, while strengthening connectivity, energy policy and regional ASEAN cooperation to attract long-term investment.

Indonesia and China have launched a joint laboratory dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence in healthcare, marking a significant step in strengthening digital health collaboration and domestic medical innovation. Speaking on the initiative, Benjamin Paulus Octavianus said the partnership between the Ministry of Health, Xuzhou Medical University and the National Standardization Agency will support applied research, standardisation and the safe deployment of AI in medicine, while accelerating health system reform and strengthening Indonesia’s medical devices industry.

Malaysia is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, smart systems and green technology to strengthen industrial competitiveness and drive real-world digital transformation, according to Chang Lih Kang. Led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the national agenda focuses on smart manufacturing, automation and high-value engineering to enhance productivity, sustainability and long-term economic resilience across key industrial sectors.

Vietnam and Singapore are advancing bilateral cooperation in cybersecurity and digital transformation, with a renewed focus on training, capacity-building and the protection of personal data. Building on existing agreements, the two sides will strengthen collaboration on legal frameworks, cybercrime prevention and secure data governance, while supporting national digital transformation and the development of a safe, trusted and sustainable digital environment in both countries.

Indonesia is moving closer to establishing a national framework for artificial intelligence regulation, with the government preparing an AI Roadmap and AI Ethics guidelines to be formalised under a Presidential Regulation by early 2026. Led by the Ministry of Communication and Digital, the initiative aims to provide legal certainty, safeguard citizens’ rights and support responsible AI adoption across strategic sectors. Experts emphasise the need for a risk-based, sovereign and adaptive approach that protects data, clarifies accountability and strengthens local innovation without stifling technological progress.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence has been prioritised for the adoption of an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework, reflecting the scale of its procurement activities and the need for stronger transparency and accountability. The initiative, supported by digitalisation efforts led by the Digital Ministry and the National Digital Department, aims to enhance governance, reduce risks of leakages and align public sector practices with sustainable and responsible standards.

Indonesia is seeking to develop independently built “sovereign AI” through its AI Talent Factory programme, aiming to create artificial intelligence models that reflect national values and priorities. The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s AI ecosystem and reduce reliance on foreign technologies.

PLDT says artificial intelligence is critical to accelerating the Philippines’ economic growth, with the potential to add up to 12 per cent to GDP by 2030. The telco emphasised that realising AI’s impact depends on strong infrastructure, world-class talent, and trusted governance to deliver measurable economic and social outcomes.

Johor Bahru has been named Malaysia’s first “leading smart city”, powered by an AI-driven integrated operations control centre that monitors traffic, detects potholes, and supports city management in real time. However, analysts and residents question whether technology adoption is translating into meaningful improvements on the ground.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has warned that artificial intelligence will “touch everything,” urging the Philippines to strengthen its policy and regulatory preparedness. Speaking on the BBM Podcast, he noted that AI is rapidly expanding across education, infrastructure, and energy, creating both major opportunities and risks. Marcos said lawmakers must better understand emerging technologies to craft responsive legislation, especially as AI heightens concerns around job displacement, misinformation, and fabricated content. He emphasized that the country must balance innovation with safeguards and revealed that AI will be a key agenda item at the upcoming ASEAN Summit.

Malaysia’s tech sector continued its strong momentum in 2025, driven by rapid adoption of AI and a booming wave of data centre investments. Penang and Johor strengthened their positions as key technology hubs, attracting multinational firms in semiconductors and cloud infrastructure. Supported by MyDIGITAL initiatives, tax incentives, and new trade agreements such as DEFA and the US-Malaysia ART, the country saw record AI and data centre investment flows in the first half of 2025. With major commitments from global players like Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, and AWS, Malaysia is positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s next digital and AI powerhouse heading into 2026.

Vietnam’s National Assembly has passed an amended High Technology Law aimed at accelerating the country’s innovation and strategic technology development. Approved with 92.39% support, the revised law outlines stronger incentives for high-tech investment, digital and green transformation, R&D commercialization, and collaboration between academia and industry. It also establishes preferential policies to attract global talent and defines clear prohibitions to safeguard national interests. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

The Philippines is strengthening its position in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity through deeper cooperation with key international partners, as envoys from Japan, Canada, Australia, the United States and the European Union reiterated their support at the Stratbase ADR Institute 2025 Pilipinas Conference. Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya highlighted the growing scale of global cyberattacks and underscored Japan’s commitment to helping enhance Philippine cyber capabilities through shared resources and closer coordination across the Indo Pacific. United States Embassy officials noted active collaboration with Philippine agencies on cybercrime operations and policy development, while also exploring technologies that reduce dependency on single suppliers. The European Union expressed interest in expanding cooperation on artificial intelligence, cyber readiness and maritime security, with discussions expected to progress during the upcoming Philippine EU Security and Defence Dialogue. Australia likewise confirmed the expansion of joint cybersecurity efforts with Philippine institutions.