ASEAN economies risk widening digital divide as AI adoption accelerates unevenly

Southeast Asian economies are experiencing divergent trajectories in artificial intelligence adoption, with wealthier nations pulling ahead while less-developed countries struggle to keep pace, according to research from a major regional financial institution.

The disparity reflects fundamental differences in digital infrastructure, technical expertise, and capital investment across ASEAN member states. Nations with stronger tech ecosystems and higher levels of digitalization are capturing disproportionate benefits from AI-driven productivity gains, while those with weaker foundational capabilities risk falling further behind.

The uneven advancement threatens to exacerbate existing economic inequalities within the 10-nation bloc, potentially widening gaps in per-capita income and competitiveness. Countries with limited access to cutting-edge technology and skilled AI professionals face particular challenges in harnessing the transformative potential of the technology.

Experts warn that without coordinated regional efforts to build AI capabilities across all member states—through technology transfer initiatives, workforce training programs, and infrastructure investment—ASEAN risks a fragmented digital economy where benefits concentrate among elite markets. Policymakers are being urged to prioritize inclusive development strategies to ensure the region captures AI's potential growth opportunities collectively rather than seeing gains limited to select nations.