Southeast Asia Tops Global AI Trust, Plans Significant Investment
Southeast Asian firms lead global peers in AI trustworthiness, with 65.6% planning to increase spending over the next 12 months despite persistent infrastructure gaps.
Southeast Asia's AI Trustworthiness Surges
Organisations in Southeast Asia are demonstrating global leadership in the secure and ethical deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. A 2026 study by SAS and the International Data Corporation (IDC) revealed the region's AI Trustworthiness Index climbed 8.8 points, from 57.7 in 2025 to 66.5 out of 100 this year.
This positions Southeast Asia as the sole market in the study to surpass the global benchmark across all five dimensions of trustworthy AI, which include data quality, model governance, and responsible AI policy. The AI Trust Gap in the region also narrowed significantly, from 14.6 points in 2025 to 6.6 points in 2026, driven by enhanced capabilities.
ROI Link and Adoption Barriers
The SAS and IDC research indicates a strong correlation between investments in trustworthy AI measures and higher returns, with firms 15 times more likely to report strong or high return on investment (ROI). This suggests ethical AI frameworks provide a competitive edge beyond mere compliance. However, challenges persist.
A 2026 McKinsey study, surveying 330 regional companies, identified uncertain ROI as the third-largest barrier to AI adoption, ranking alongside limited budgets and data quality issues. Separately, a 2026 study by SAP SE and Oxford Economics found 55% of 200 Thai organisations believe their AI implementation has not reached its full potential.
Persistent Infrastructure and Skill Deficits
Despite rapid advancements in AI trustworthiness and maturity, Southeast Asia's underlying infrastructure is progressing at a slower pace. Advanced AI maturity rose 20.5 points in 2026, while infrastructure maturity increased by only 4.1 points. The SAP SE and Oxford Economics research highlighted that 47% of Thai organisations still rely on fragmented AI deployments.
Furthermore, 70% of Thai businesses cited data quality or availability as a hurdle to achieving greater AI ROI, even though 57% consider themselves data-ready. Skill gaps also remain a concern, with 76% of Thai businesses unconvinced that company-led upskilling is keeping pace with AI tool evolution.
Investment Plans Rise Despite Challenges
Despite these infrastructure and skill challenges, AI investment intentions are on the rise across the region. Over the next 12 months, 65.6% of Southeast Asian organisations plan a small increase in AI spending, with an additional 14.8% anticipating a large increase.
In Thailand, the average company expects to spend THB 602.9 million (US$18.3 million) on AI this year, a figure projected to grow by 44% over the next two years.
This sustained commitment, also seen in Digital Realty's 2026 Global Data Insights Survey reporting 59% of Asia-Pacific organisations raising AI investment by over 25% in 2026, indicates that firms in Southeast Asia are prioritising AI adoption for future competitiveness.
Companies will need to address internal capability building and data governance to fully realise the projected ROI from these increased expenditures, suggesting continued demand for AI integration services and talent development across the region.
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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