ASEAN Fintech Grapples With AI Skill Shortage, ADB Report Finds
A new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Global Fintech Institute (GFI) reveals a significant shortage of artificial intelligence (AI) skills across Southeast Asia’s financial technology sector. This deficit is most pronounced in Indonesia and Vietnam, despite both countries showing rapid AI adoption rates.
The Skill Gap Revealed
Southeast Asia’s financial technology (fintech) sector faces a substantial shortage of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, according to an August 2026 report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Fintech Institute (GFI).
The research, which included a regional survey and stakeholder engagement, found AI-enabled services to be the least developed technical skill within ASEAN’s fintech landscape. Indonesia and Vietnam exhibit the lowest AI skill levels, with proficiency limited to a basic understanding and minimal practical application.
Singapore registers as the most skilled nation in the domain, though its competency remains limited, demonstrating effective performance but not advanced mastery.
Adoption Outpaces Capability
This skill deficit contrasts sharply with the rapid pace of AI adoption in these economies. A 2025 global survey by Finastra showed 74% of Vietnamese institutions had actively deployed AI, the highest among surveyed countries. In Indonesia, new research by AWS revealed 40% of businesses adopted AI, up from 28% last year.
Over 26 million Indonesian businesses now use AI, with 75% reporting productivity gains. These figures demonstrate a clear demand for AI integration, highlighting the widening gap between technology deployment and the workforce's ability to support it.
Government Responses and Challenges
Governments are moving to address this critical talent gap. The Vietnamese government this month approved a national programme to develop AI skills through 2030, with a vision to 2035. This initiative aims to train at least 100,000 educators, 10 million workers in basic AI use, and 50,000 university-level professionals in advanced AI applications.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is also developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and AI Ethics regulations. However, Indonesia faces a significant digital talent deficit of approximately 3 million workers, projected to reach 12 million by 2030.
The overall technical skills gap in ASEAN fintech stands at 48%, with a 46% soft skills gap across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, as estimated by the ADB and GFI. Middle-to-senior fintech professionals widely prioritise closing these gaps, with 84–90% citing a high impact on their organisation’s ability to meet business objectives.
This includes effects on risk management, compliance, innovation, and operational efficiency. For businesses operating in or expanding into Southeast Asia, securing AI talent will become a key competitive differentiator, potentially increasing hiring costs and slowing product development cycles in the near term.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
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