Marking Vietnam's 31st year in ASEAN, Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong outlined how the country is embedding the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 into its national planning, with a 2026–2030 action plan already underway. She pointed to a 700-million-strong ASEAN market and RCEP's 2.3 billion consumers as openings for Vietnamese enterprises to move up regional value chains, while highlighting the soon-to-be-signed ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement as the bloc's first comprehensive digital economy pact — covering e-commerce, cross-border data flows, and digital payments. She also noted that FDI into ASEAN held steady at $244 billion in 2025, with a rising share going to hi-tech manufacturing, alongside growing regional cooperation on AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology.

Thailand's Board of Investment is shifting its data centre policy from quantity to quality. To qualify for incentives amid rising demand for AI, new projects must meet strict sustainability standards on clean energy, water conservation, environmental protection, and local economic contributions.

The Malaysian government is enhancing safeguards against AI misuse, including deepfakes, misinformation, and scams. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo highlighted key initiatives like the Cyber Security Act 2024 and an upcoming Digital Trust Strategy to build a secure AI ecosystem.

TNB menegaskan bahawa tadbir urus berkesan dan Model Interaksi Manusia-AI TNB (THAIM) menjadi pemangkin utama kepada inovasi, akauntabiliti, serta pengawasan manusia dalam melaksanakan transformasi AI secara bertanggungjawab.

TNB mengutamakan tadbir urus berkesan dan Model Interaksi Manusia-AI TNB (THAIM) bagi memastikan keselamatan, akauntabiliti, serta peranan modal insan kekal menjadi teras dalam era transformasi kecerdasan buatan (AI).

Thailand has launched a sweeping human-capital strategy, THAILAND², bringing together five government ministries to tackle a looming productivity crisis. With PM Anutin Charnvirakul warning that an ageing population and rising automation could erode the workforce's economic value, the plan focuses on upskilling, lifelong learning, and stronger R&D investment to help workers in industry, services, and agriculture adapt to an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Indonesia is laying the foundation for national AI sovereignty by advancing local AI models, expanding compute infrastructure, and empowering digital talent. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria emphasized that full AI independence requires a comprehensive approach—spanning GPUs, chips, basic infrastructure, and local talent—to secure the country's strategic position in the global technology supply chain.

Vietnam's top leadership is calling for stronger data security and a clear path to turn AI and digital transformation into real productivity gains. Experts point to growing investment in AI and critical digital infrastructure, a deepening role in global semiconductor supply chains, and Ho Chi Minh City's new innovation-focused venture fund as key steps toward a more self-reliant, competitive digital economy.

Walaupun menyumbang hampir 40% kepada KDNK negara, masih ramai pemilik PKS terperangkap dengan kaedah pengurusan manual akibat kekangan kos dan isu keselamatan siber. Inisiatif Maybank myimpact SME hadir membantu peniaga melangkah ke era digital secara lancar menerusi integrasi akaun, perakaunan, dan pengurusan sumber manusia secara sistematik.

Digitalisation is no longer optional for Malaysian SMEs, but high costs and security concerns keep many stuck in manual processes. Maybank’s myimpact SME initiative offers an affordable, integrated pathway to modernise operations effortlessly.

As digital fraud evolves into a complex global ecosystem, traditional passwords and OTPs are no longer enough to protect bank accounts. VIDA CEO Niki Luhur advocates for continuous, passwordless authentication—combining biometric verification and trusted devices—to safeguard banking sessions without compromising user experience.

Malaysia is aiming to position itself as ASEAN's primary hub for developing future technology creators, shifting the region's dynamic from a consumer of imported tech to an independent innovator. Higher Education Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim emphasized that the region's long-term competitiveness relies on homegrown technology rather than Western innovations. Leveraging specialized research capabilities across top universities and a young regional demographic of 680 million people, Malaysia is actively calling for deepened bilateral collaboration with Indonesia to prepare high-value talent for emerging industries, aerospace, and engineering ecosystems.

Vietnam is entering a transformative economic phase following the issuance of Politburo Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW. The nation is officially shifting its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) strategy away from volume and labor-intensive projects toward high-quality, tech-driven investments. In the first six months of 2026 alone, Vietnam attracted $34.6 billion USD in newly registered FDI—a staggering 61% year-on-year increase—with over 53% flowing directly into advanced manufacturing and processing. Global industry leaders from logistics to manufacturing are welcoming this regulatory shift, which prioritizes technology transfer, strict ESG standards, and deep integration into high-tech global value chains, cementing Vietnam's position as Southeast Asia's premier innovation hub.

Indonesia's Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry is mapping out strategic measures to close the AI capability gap, even as the country ranks among the world's highest adopters of the technology. Deputy Minister Nezar Patria stressed that adoption alone isn't enough — what matters is the depth of capability in using AI across education, healthcare, financial services, and government.

SSDU Innovations menandatangani Memorandum Kerjasama dengan EER Digital bagi meneroka pembangunan projek rintis pusat data mampan di Selangor. Inisiatif ini akan menilai penggunaan teknologi penyejukan rendaman GPU untuk menyokong infrastruktur AI berketumpatan tinggi dengan fokus kepada kecekapan tenaga, tadbir urus dan kemampanan jangka panjang.

Smart Selangor Delivery Unit (SSDU) and EER Digital have signed a memorandum of collaboration to study a pilot sustainable AI data centre in Selangor. The initiative will assess the feasibility of high-density AI infrastructure, focusing on energy efficiency, environmental impact, cybersecurity, governance and long-term scalability.

Thailand has approved nine major investment projects worth a combined USD 1.99 billion (66.3 billion baht) as global tech manufacturers shift their supply chains to Southeast Asia. Led by AI infrastructure, advanced electronics, clean energy, and aviation, the Board of Investment (BOI) projects include a massive USD 235 million GPU server hub by Japan's Datasection and key component manufacturing from South Korean and Taiwanese tech giants. To support this influx of data centers, the government is also fast-tracking clean energy infrastructure and policy transparency.

Malaysia can no longer rely on conventional approaches to national security as emerging digital threats extend far beyond traditional enforcement agencies, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim warned. Speaking at the launch of National Security Month, Anwar emphasized that cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology have become central to national defense. He called for a unified "whole-of-nation" approach, breaking down ministerial silos and strengthening international cooperation to protect the country in an increasingly borderless world.

To achieve true national sovereignty in artificial intelligence, Indonesia must urgently develop a holistic ecosystem that integrates elite digital talent, computing infrastructure, and the semiconductor supply chain. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria emphasized that microchips have become critical instruments of national security, warning that the country must stop outsourcing technology processing to foreign nations and instead focus on technology transfer and regional collaborations.

Dong Tien commune in Thanh Hoa has become the first locality in the province to deploy a comprehensive AI-powered public service kiosk. Moving far beyond traditional queue-number machines, the system integrates advanced conversational virtual assistants, NLP, OCR, and VNeID connectivity. By guiding residents through full online applications via voice commands, the tech drastically cuts administrative processing times down to an average of just one minute.