Teknologi kini menjadi fondasi utama agenda ESG di Indonesia dan ASEAN. Laporan AIBP 2025–2026 menunjukkan 87% perusahaan menganggap teknologi esensial untuk mengatasi tantangan ESG, dengan fokus pada kredibilitas, keterlacakan data, dan auditabilitas. Seiring 69% perusahaan berencana mengadopsi AI, ESG bergerak dari sekadar pelaporan menuju pembuktian berbasis data, menjadikan kredibilitas sebagai mata uang baru keberlanjutan.

Keamanan siber di ASEAN tak lagi sekadar kewajiban kepatuhan, melainkan prioritas strategis di tingkat dewan direksi. Laporan AIBP 2025–2026 menunjukkan 52% perusahaan berencana menaikkan anggaran keamanan siber pada 2025, dengan fokus pada deteksi ancaman, keamanan cloud, dan respons insiden yang lebih cepat. Di tengah lonjakan risiko akibat adopsi AI dan cloud, perusahaan mulai beralih dari pencegahan pasif menuju ketahanan proaktif, menempatkan security-by-design dan pertahanan berbantuan AI sebagai fondasi daya saing digital kawasan.

Philippine exporters are increasingly experimenting with AI tools for marketing and content creation, but a new nationwide study shows adoption remains fragmented and uneven across core operations. While awareness is high, gaps in digital workflows, cybersecurity readiness, and business continuity planning limit true competitiveness. To move from curiosity to capability, exporters need structured training, practical toolkits, and stronger governance to embed AI securely into daily operations.

Malaysia is preparing a new Cybercrime Bill to replace its 1997 Computer Crimes Act and address rising threats such as online fraud, deepfakes, and digital misinformation. Led by the National Cyber Security Agency, the proposed legislation will strengthen enforcement, close legal loopholes, and complement the country’s Cyber Security Act 2024. The move is part of Malaysia’s broader strategy to build a more resilient and sovereign national cybersecurity ecosystem.

Singapore is set to launch its first AI-powered nanosatellite in 2026 as part of a $200 million national space technology programme. The satellite will use onboard edge computing to analyse imagery, prioritise cloud-free data, and flag urgent events such as oil spills or forest fires, reducing transmission time and bandwidth use. The mission aims to accelerate the commercialisation of locally developed space technologies and strengthen Singapore’s growing space ecosystem.

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.