AI Tracker

Thailand is introducing new regulations to address the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and automated transactions in its business sector.

Vietnamese leaders have urged U.S. chip designer Qualcomm and South Korea's Samsung Electronics to expand their AI and chip investment in Vietnam, as the country seeks a technology upgrade.

Jobstreet by SEEK has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its platform to assist employers in making faster and more informed recruitment decisions.

NVIDIA is expanding its AI deployments across Southeast Asia, utilizing Nemotron models for public-sector and localized applications.

Mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has launched a "one-stop AI workspace" to make powerful artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible to Filipinos.

Globe Telecom is expanding its digital and AI capabilities to support Philippine businesses in their pursuit of growth opportunities across Southeast Asia, aligning with the country's push for deeper digital integration.

Alibaba Cloud expands its global infrastructure and AI portfolio to help enterprises across various sectors enhance efficiency and accelerate innovation through full-stack cloud and AI solutions.

Telecom operators in Thailand are expected to benefit from mass AI adoption, driven by the government's TH-AI Passport project and their promotion of mobile data packages for the application.

Bitdeer AI has secured a 65.1MW A202 facility, its largest single capacity addition in Southeast Asia, at its Johor, Malaysia campus under a 10-year data center services agreement, with energization expected in Q3 2027.

Wireless giant Smart Communications Inc. is expanding access to artificial intelligence by launching its own AI tool that could be purchased at prepaid-like costs, aiming to make AI accessible to more users.

Thailand should enhance its cyberdefence and human oversight to manage potential dangers as the country pursues AI-driven growth, amid global debates on slowing AI development to address risks.

Supant Mongkolsuthree, honorary chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, advocates for smart and balanced use of AI in manufacturing and business to prevent over-reliance and 'rusty brain' syndrome.

Generative AI spending in Asia-Pacific, including the Philippines, is projected to exceed $555 billion by 2030, driven by investments in software and information services.

This article discusses whether Southeast Asia will genuinely benefit from its growing AI sector, raising concerns that the region might host significant computing capacity without developing a deep AI economy.

Alibaba Cloud Intelligence has launched a new public cloud region in Johor, Malaysia, expanding its data centre footprint to meet increasing demand for cloud and artificial intelligence services in the region.

This article examines how Southeast Asia can navigate the US-China AI competition to its advantage, noting that the region must negotiate what it gains and what it is expected to give up as technology becomes a tool of influence.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered pre-recorded remarks at an event in Jakarta, Indonesia, titled "ASEAN 2045: Geopolitics, Innovation and Opportunity in a Changing World." The event took place on 15 September 2026.

Alibaba.com launched its agentic AI tool, Accio, in Thailand to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with export expansion, capitalizing on demand from European and Southeast Asian buyers.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is utilizing online job postings and artificial intelligence to estimate unemployment rates before official data is released and to identify changes in workforce demand across different sectors.

Malaysia's potential US$494 million sovereign AI project using Huawei chips could risk breaching export control assurances given to the US, potentially causing a clash over a US trade pact.

The Philippine government plans to sign a framework deal with a US government agency for the Pax Silica artificial intelligence industrial hub, indicating a significant step in AI infrastructure development.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is entering a new phase in Thailand, with businesses moving beyond experimentation and increasingly integrating AI into everyday operations, expecting accelerated investment and returns.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN opened M360 ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur, emphasizing regional collaboration, policy alignment, and public-private partnerships for a resilient digital economy. The event highlights the region's focus on digital transformation.

Runjian Co, Ltd. showcased its Token-as-a-Service and AI innovations at AIMX Singapore 2026, an event that concluded successfully at Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

SAIGONTEL and international partners are planning a $3.5 billion AI data centre complex in Tay Ninh, Vietnam, extending the group's infrastructure ambitions into digital.

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) upgraded Thailand's GDP growth projection for the current year from 2% to 2.5%, attributing the revision to export performance and the artificial intelligence cycle.

Tencent Cloud has launched its first cloud region in Malaysia, located in Johor and comprising up to three availability zones, to strengthen its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) services in the country.

A leading think tank urged the Philippine government to mandate its institutions and public servants to use AI to improve services, strengthen oversight, and protect public resources.

Thai organizations are increasing cybersecurity spending to 5-10% of IT budgets, driven by AI-driven attacks and stricter industry standards, according to Fortinet.

Thai businesses are advised to develop leadership, skills, and organizational discipline to effectively deploy AI at scale, as Thailand has the potential to leapfrog more digitally advanced economies in AI adoption, according to a British AI expert.

Malaysia's Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching states that the country needs to move beyond consumer AI and scale home-grown solutions for ASEAN, delivered at the M360 GSMA ASEAN closing ceremony.

Thailand's National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Board has defined a four-pronged strategy focusing on digital sovereignty, AI governance, talent development, and building a competitive domestic AI industry.

True Corporation Plc, a pioneering AI adopter in Thailand, has addressed AI governance gaps as the country undergoes a rapid AI transition, emphasizing robust governance in the global AI economy.

Runjian Co, Ltd. showcased its Token-as-a-Service and AI innovations at AIMX Singapore 2026. The event, held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, was visited by Singapore's Senior Minister of State, Mr Tan Kiat How.

An Nvidia-backed firm in Indonesia has signed a US$3.1 billion loan for GPUs. The financing includes a revenue-sharing and credit-support model from Nvidia to ease lenders' concerns.

Malaysia's potential US$494 million sovereign AI project with Huawei could risk a clash with a US trade pact, highlighting Kuala Lumpur's geopolitical balancing act between superpowers.

Corvex, an AI cloud capacity provider, aims to achieve 8MW of AI cloud capacity by the end of 2026. The company recently secured $33 million to fund its expansion plans.

The Philippines' outsourcing industry continues to expand, with business service exports and employment growing despite artificial intelligence concerns, according to HSBC Global Investment Research.

Thailand's draft AI law is under scrutiny for potentially hindering local AI firms, raising concerns about safeguards, liability, IP protection, and startup support.

Malaysia is considering using Huawei chips for an AI project. Huawei aims to expand its data center market presence from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, despite warnings from the US.

Asset Plus Fund Management is launching a new fund focused on Taiwan's technology sector, citing the global AI boom as a key driver for investment demand across the semiconductor and technology supply chain.

Thailand's National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec) is focusing on tech sovereignty and investing in quantum technology and physical artificial intelligence (AI).

The World Bank states Thailand is well-positioned to leverage AI for productivity gains, new industry development, and high-skilled job creation, stressing the need to ensure AI accessibility for all companies.

Economists have increased Singapore's 2026 growth forecast to 5%, with a rising number of respondents in MAS's latest poll identifying an 'AI bubble' as a significant risk to the economy.

Singapore's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 51.5, with strong artificial intelligence demand keeping electronics manufacturing resilient, according to a Business Times report.

Malaysia must develop home-grown technology and intellectual property to become a regional AI hub, ensuring its digital infrastructure translates into high-value jobs.

Tencent Cloud established its first infrastructure region in Malaysia on August 18, 2026, constructing three availability zones in Johor to expand artificial intelligence capacity.

Tencent Cloud is establishing a new cloud region in Johor, Malaysia, with up to three Availability Zones, to enhance service availability and resilience. This expansion also includes AI talent development initiatives.

The U.S. has launched export programs and initiatives to bolster American AI in Asia, but China dominates cheaper AI models. The U.S. has grown quieter between the first and second APEC AI meetings.

Policy choices have led to the Philippines lagging behind Taiwan in the global chip race, with UP researchers suggesting that foreign factories alone are insufficient for Pax Silica's needs.

The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (Fetco) advises caution for investors in AI, stating that AI-related share prices have outpaced underlying development despite AI being in early stages of transformation.

Synnex (Thailand) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) project that AI innovation could generate 1.2 trillion baht in economic impact for Thailand, urging businesses to address gaps in skills, data, and organizational readiness beyond basic chatbot use to seize this opportunity.

Singapore emphasizes responsible adoption of technology to maximize new capabilities, rather than pursuing technology for its own sake, as highlighted in the NDR 2026.

Thailand is advised to prepare for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to counter 'harvest now, decrypt later' attacks. IBM Thailand and the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) recommend prioritizing critical infrastructure upgrades due to budget limits.

Alibaba's stock has slumped in Hong Kong after a US$13 billion share placement to fund its artificial intelligence initiatives, raising investor concerns about the payback from its substantial AI spending.

Singapore's Prime Minister Wong's National Day Rally speech highlights AI safeguards as part of bracing the nation for a 'new normal' of global challenges, alongside childcare leave and new outer-island plans.

AI company Anthropic, a rival to OpenAI, is reported by US media to have a potential market debut that could surpass SpaceX's record. This indicates significant financial movement in the global AI sector, relevant to ASEAN's AI landscape.

NVIDIA is proposing to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in four key areas, including developing a Vietnamese-owned large language model (LLM) and building AI infrastructure and GPU capabilities.

Employers in Asia Pacific are slowing hiring plans for Q3 2026, but demand for AI expertise and strong people skills remains high, leading to competitive salaries, according to a new ManpowerGroup survey.

Tencent Cloud plans to launch a new cloud region in Malaysia. This region will include up to three availability zones, supporting local digital infrastructure and potentially AI-related services.

A Bangkok Post article discusses leaders' concerns that their teams are becoming overly dependent on artificial intelligence, accepting AI outputs without critical questioning and losing the instinct to challenge recommendations.

Mapúa Malayan Digital College in the Philippines encourages students and professionals to develop AI fluency to enhance employability, as companies increasingly recognize AI's value.

Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of Tencent, is establishing its first cloud region in Malaysia, located in Johor and comprising up to three availability zones.

Five state agencies in Thailand plan to adopt agentic artificial intelligence (AI) to support complex tasks, including detecting foreign nominees buying land and identifying fake parentage in civil registration.

Malaysia's Science, Technology and Innovation Minister states the country must develop, own, and commercialize its own technologies.

Line Man Wongnai will expand its AI strategy and features from internal operations to merchant services, and partner with the government to develop local AI talent. This initiative will begin later this month.

A Vietnamese AI application has surpassed global competitors in local user engagement, with Vietnamese users spending 704 million hours and US$14.4 million on AI apps in the first half of 2026, driven by growing demand for Vietnamese-language AI.

Public agencies have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) to increase officials' productivity, improve personalised service, and ensure transparency while maintaining country sovereignty.

Thailand's Government Pension Fund (GPF) plans to focus investments on artificial intelligence (AI) and Thai equities, viewing them as safe havens amid global market volatility.

Taiwanese cloud and AI infrastructure provider Konst signs a data center lease with LG Sinar Mas in Jakarta, Indonesia, for its AI infrastructure capacity.

Indosat launches Zankore, an AI infrastructure platform targeting 1 gigawatt of NVIDIA DSX AI factory capacity, developed with technology leaders to serve Asia-Pacific's AI demand, including Southeast Asia.

An expert states that AI is poised to displace more jobs than it creates in the Philippines, necessitating rapid workforce retraining to minimize disruptive impacts.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has outlined a 30-year development plan for the Pax Silica artificial intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City, with full development expected to commence in 2028.

True Corporation, in partnership with EGG Digital, signed an MoU with Thammasat University's Faculty of Medicine and Hospital to advance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

Online insurer Roojai has unveiled an ambitious growth strategy for 2030, betting on artificial intelligence (AI), new health insurance products, and regional expansion to strengthen its position in Thailand's competitive insurance market.

Malaysia is considered well-positioned to capitalize on the global AI-driven structural shift, leveraging its existing strengths.

Indonesia's communications minister announced plans for an artificial intelligence factory, backed by Indosat and global technology partners, to bolster the country's role as a regional AI hub.

The US launched AI Spark to counter Chinese AI models making inroads in Southeast Asia, targeting the public sector in the region, according to analysts.

Kaspersky identifies 'shadow AI' as a growing cybersecurity threat, where employees use unauthorized generative AI tools, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data to public AI models and increasing cyberattack risks.

Distributed AI cloud provider Perimeter Compute launches to deploy GPUs at the Edge, indicating a development in AI infrastructure.

AI lab Moonshot leased 20,000 Nvidia GPUs from Alibaba Cloud, making up a significant proportion of Moonshot's overall compute capacity for Kimi models.

This article discusses the quiet resistance of employees towards adopting artificial intelligence tools in the workplace, indicating a challenge in leadership readiness for AI integration.

Thailand is advancing AI sovereignty through domestic large language models (LLM) like ThaiLLM, led by the Big Data Institute (BDI) and its partners.

Thailand is reported as the leader in digital trust within Southeast Asia, showing high consumer confidence in both human creators and generative AI, according to a new report.

Malaysia needs to move beyond AI pilot projects to strengthen its standing as a regional finance and technology hub, emphasizing trust, governance, and culture for scaling AI.

Enterprise cloud infrastructure spending has reached $143 billion, marking the 11th consecutive quarter of growth, driven by AI advancements.

Speakers mentioning AI at commencement ceremonies in the United States this year were met with boos from some graduates.

Vietnam is leading Southeast Asian efforts to regulate AI technologies with a new AI law, though its approach has identified shortcomings.

Thailand's Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo) is leading an effort to standardize the nation's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, aiming to simplify services for motorists.

Singapore's Minister Josephine Teo spoke at the launch of a guide by the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) for boards on navigating AI opportunities and risks.

Google Cloud Thailand states that adopting AI at an enterprise level could generate 1.4 trillion baht in economic value for Thailand over five years, leading to a call for Thai businesses to fully embed AI.

SCB X, a financial technology conglomerate and holding company of Siam Commercial Bank, is transforming into an AI-first organization and using artificial intelligence to gain deeper customer insights.

AI-driven identity fraud is emerging as a growing cyberthreat as attackers increasingly exploit synthetic identities, deepfakes and autonomous AI agents to target digital systems, according to Ping Identity.

AI is advancing rapidly, but cybersecurity policy in Southeast Asia is not keeping pace, creating potential vulnerabilities.

Nvidia plans to invest $5 billion in Safe Superintelligence, a firm focused on substantially increasing GPU compute. The AI lab previously utilized Google TPUs.

The World Economic Forum has identified 10 emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, which are nearing commercial maturity and could transform industries and address global challenges.

Qualcomm executive Dr. Durga Malladi states Vietnam has a strong foundation for developing 6G technology, citing its young engineering workforce, growing startup ecosystem, and national focus on AI and semiconductors.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc, a fiber broadband provider, was ranked the best internet service provider in the Philippines with the fastest internet and lowest latency, according to Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence report for the first half of 2026.

Thailand is leveraging its automotive and electronics infrastructure to become a regional hub for humanoid robotics.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the proposed Pax Silica Industrial Hub is central to the country's efforts to build an artificial intelligence-driven economy, aiming to create jobs and boost competitiveness.