AI in ASEAN Markets

14 unicorns. USD 4.2B in a single quarter. Southeast Asia's AI startup surge is no longer hype.

Southeast Asia is quickly adopting AI, with financial institutions and manufacturers integrating it into their operations. Despite its popularity as a symbol of modernity, public trust in AI systems lags behind their widespread implementation.

AI is expected to boost Southeast Asia's economy by nearly US$1 trillion by 2030. Singapore is taking the policy lead, while Malaysia is drawing record infrastructure investment. Generative AI is accelerating adoption across retail, finance, healthcare and education, reshaping the region's growth trajectory.

This article explores how Google's AI Overviews are reducing traffic for small businesses, why it matters across Asia, and practical steps to adapt. With insights from SEO veterans, it explains the paradox of zero-click marketing and outlines strategies to maintain visibility in an AI-first search world.

A sharp, insightful take on Perplexity's $34.5 billion unsolicited offer for Chrome. The article explores motivations, antitrust context, and implications for the future of AI-driven search infrastructure across Asia.

As Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday, this article explores how its platform-like thinking, systems mindset, and optimisation culture offer a blueprint for business leaders across Asia and beyond.