In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, a groundbreaking survey has exposed a startling truth: the vast majority of ASEAN organisations are dangerously behind in their AI readiness.
This eye-opening report, commissioned by IBM and conducted by Ecosystm, paints a sobering picture of the region’s AI landscape.
The Great AI Delusion
While a staggering 85% of ASEAN organisations recognise AI’s potential to achieve strategic goals, only a mere 17% have a well-defined AI strategy.
This alarming disconnect between perception and reality is further highlighted by the fact that 39% of surveyed leaders believed their organisations were in the “transformative” stage of AI readiness.
The harsh truth is that only 4% actually made the cut.
AI Adoption: A Double-Edged Sword
Despite the lack of preparedness, AI adoption in the region is surging.
The survey reveals that intelligent document processing (63%), support and helpdesk applications (60%), and payment and invoicing automation (57%) are leading the charge.
However, this rapid adoption without proper foundations could spell disaster for unprepared organisations.
The Skills Gap: A Ticking Time Bomb
One of the most alarming findings is the severe shortage of AI expertise in ASEAN companies.
A mere 17% of organisations boast extensive expertise and dedicated data science teams.
This skills gap threatens to derail even the most ambitious AI initiatives.
Cloud Confusion and Governance Chaos
The survey exposes a concerning lack of trust in building AI solutions across diverse data storage environments, with only 33% of leaders expressing confidence in this area.
Moreover, the absence of clear governance policies in 15% of organisations and the scattered responsibility in two-thirds of them paint a picture of potential regulatory nightmares.
The Road to AI Redemption
Despite the grim outlook, there’s hope on the horizon.
The report outlines critical success factors for becoming AI-ready, emphasising the importance of identifying organisational strengths, weaknesses, and potential roadblocks.
Catherine Lian, General Manager of IBM ASEAN, stresses the need for a holistic approach: “AI readiness requires strong leadership, a robust data strategy, the right talent, and a well-thought-out governance framework to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI.”
As ASEAN organisations scramble to catch up in the AI race, one thing is clear: those who fail to prioritise AI readiness risk being left trailing behind their more prepared competitors.
