July 17, 2025
Manila – Research shows that the top business executives of the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) are looking to further investments in artificial intelligence (AI) to promote activities in the digital age.
Based on an IBM Business Value Institute survey released Tuesday, roughly 2,000 CEOs in the global market, including ASEAN's 210 CEOs, see “double-doubling their AI investments in the next two years.”
Despite this impacting the digital transformation journey of business, including diverse government policies, said Abraham Thomas, managing partner at IBM Consulting (ASEAN).
“ASEAN business leaders are under pressure from AI to demonstrate ROI (Return on Investment) while they need to invest in long-term capabilities to stay competitive,” he said.
“This balancing act is further complicated by the fragmented digital landscape of the region, with inconsistent standards for domestic regulations and cross-border data flow,” he added.
Read: ASEAN Foundation hosts first regional forum for AI innovation
Return on investment
Zooming into the Philippines, 55% of local CEOs were keen to adopt AI agents and prepare for a massive launch.
This study found that 63% prioritize AI use cases, or practical applications, based on ROI. However, so far, only 23% of local respondents have achieved ROI.
IBM said there could be a “disparity between investment priorities and outcomes,” but 60% of respondents in the Philippines are still leaning towards going “fast and wrong” rather than embracing technology.
Read: Marcos: Equipped ASEAN youth with digital resilience in a technology-driven world
However, 65% of respondents in the Philippines want “enhancing budget flexibility” to fund the digital shift.
“As Philippine organizations accelerate their adoption of AI to stay ahead of the dynamic market, the success of unlocking real business value from investment will depend on overcoming the challenges of data integration and workforce preparation,” the official said. /DDA
Read: Filipino workers at the highest risk of AI taking over in ASEAN
