SINGAPORE–Southeast Asia continues to be a hotbed for innovations, and at the forefront of this surge is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) which is expected to inject more than a trillion dollars into the Southeast Asian economy by 2030, tech leader Qualcomm said.
Qualcomm, which held an unveiling of its latest Snapdragon series in Singapore, also said Southeast Asia “is witnessing a massive shift in how businesses operate, interact with customers and evolve.”
Kedar Kondap, SVP of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies noted: “In just a single year, over 8 million PCs were shipped across Southeast Asia—a region that’s quickly becoming the heart of global technological transformation.”
“For many, the term “AI” evokes images of futuristic technologies and far-off possibilities. But in Southeast Asia, the future is already unfolding. This marks a significant disruption in the marketplace, reshaping industries and business models in a way that the world has never seen before,” Kondap said.
“As AI takes center stage, this region is witnessing a massive shift in how businesses operate, interact with customers and evolve. A key player in this evolution? Singapore, a city-state that’s not just participating in this AI-driven transformation but is leading it.
Southeast Asia’s AI powerhouse: Singapore
Kondap further said Singapore’s position on the global AI index is “telling” as it consistently ranks among the top three AI adopters worldwide, making it a hub for innovation.
“The country’s leadership in AI adoption has put it in a prime position to shape the future of Gen AI (Generative AI) across industries. As AI workflows continue to evolve, projections suggest that Southeast Asia’s total AI spending will reach a staggering $650 million by 2026.”
This surge in investment reflects the region’s growing commitment to AI. But it’s not just the public sector or tech companies that are embracing this shift—consumers in Southeast Asia are leading the charge in adopting Gen AI tools and technologies, which are transforming everything from business processes to creative endeavors, the executive added.
A future-oriented vision
Kondap further said looking toward the future, the adoption of Gen AI in Southeast Asia is set to be a game-changer.
Citing recent studies, Kondap said 92% of employees across Asia Pacific plan to integrate AI tools into their work processes by 2028.
“This shift is not just a technological change—it’s a productivity revolution. By automating mundane tasks and enhancing workflows, the region is poised to save over 11 billion hours per week, enabling workers to focus on more high-value, creative activities.”
This dramatic increase in efficiency translates into tangible economic growth, fueling the region’s expansion into new industries and markets. The promise of Gen AI is clear: it will not only enhance productivity but will also drive an entirely new wave of innovation that will resonate across all corners of Southeast Asia.
Qualcomm’s role
The executive further shared that at Qualcomm, the vision for AI is not just about developing products—it’s about transforming how the entire ecosystem functions.
Qualcomm has been a key partner to Microsoft, collaborating on the development of the next-generation operating systems that power AI experiences on Snapdragon platforms.
“Many of the new Copilot Plus features, which are set to revolutionize the user experience, were launched in June and are exclusively powered by Snapdragon. These advancements are enabling a whole new era of computing, where the PC is not just a tool but a platform for innovation and growth. Qualcomm’s commitment to on-device AI means that consumers and industries alike will benefit from powerful, efficient, and secure AI-driven devices that can scale across various applications,” Kondap said.
From mobile phones to laptops, these devices will serve as the backbone of the AI-powered future.
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