ASEAN’s AI hub race raises growth hopes — and risks for workers, SMEs and the environment

Across the region, technology companies are moving rapidly to develop artificial intelligence that can perform tasks previously done by humans.

ASEAN’s race to become a new AI hub is accelerating, as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand pour money into semiconductors, data centres and AI adoption, but the boom is also exposing the region to mounting risks — from job displacement and widening inequality to energy shortages, water stress and fears of a technology bubble.