INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

According to Forrester’ s latest report, AI Adoption Across Regions, 2025, 26 % of APAC firms have invested between US $ 400,001 and US $ 500,000 in genAI – outpacing North America( 19 %) and Europe( 17 %). Notably, 33 % of APAC AI decisionmakers say their CEO is the primary owner of AI strategy, compared to just 18 % in North America and 8 % in Europe.

This research draws on Forrester’ s State Of AI Survey, 2025, which polled enterprise AI decision-makers across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The survey examined investment levels, strategic ownership, deployment, workforce impact and barriers to adoption, offering a comparative view of regional AI strategies.

APAC leads in AI investment and leadership. Twenty-six percent of APAC firms have invested US $ 400,001 – US $ 500,000 in genAI, compared with 19 % in North America and 17 % in Europe. CEO ownership of AI strategy is highest in APAC at 33 %, enabling faster alignment between technology and business goals.

Deployment is deeper and broader. APAC firms report 63 % genAI adoption in IT operations and 46 % in data management and engineering – surpassing other regions and reflecting readiness to embed AI into core business functions.

Regional context shapes strategy. Operating in fastgrowing markets where speed creates competitive advantage, APAC companies leverage infrastructure investments to extend AI into customer-facing functions. Europe’ s regulatory environment and labour protections drive a governance-first approach, while North America balances operational efficiency with innovation.

Workforce transformation is underway. Seventy-six percent of APAC respondents agree many employees will need new roles due to AI, and 47 % have already reduced headcount or replaced employees with AI. Additionally, 66 % are slowing hiring to assess operational impact.

Employee readiness supports adoption. APAC employees are the most prepared globally: 91 % feel motivated to learn, 91 % have received formal training and 89 % know how to prompt genAI systems. This readiness fuels faster and more effective integration.

Use cases vary by region. APAC leads in applying AI to IT operations and data engineering, North America focuses on operational efficiency and digital experiences, while Europe emphasises governance and employee enablement.

Global best practices don’ t always apply. Investment capacity, leadership models, regulatory pressure and competitive dynamics shape viable AI strategies. CIOs who adapt to local conditions outperform those following generic playbooks.

APAC dominates global AI usage rankings. Four of the top five countries in Anthropic’ s 2025 AI Usage Index – Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea – are from APAC, underscoring regional leadership.

“ Asia Pacific’ s leadership in AI adoption reflects bold investment, decisive leadership and a clear understanding of regional dynamics,” said Frederic Giron, VP and Senior Research Director, Forrester.“ With CEOs taking ownership of AI strategy, organisations can better align technology with transformation.”

Looking ahead, Forrester’ s 2026 Predictions for Artificial Intelligence forecasts a pragmatic shift where governance, literacy and ROI take centre stage. Enterprises globally will delay 25 % of planned AI spend into 2027, while 60 % of Fortune 100 companies appoint heads of AI governance. Regional leaders in Asia Pacific will prioritise sovereignty, security and responsible deployment as AI becomes integral to national infrastructure and enterprise strategy. p

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