Most Asian Firms Adopting AI Slowly

A new report shows 90% of Asian companies are adopting AI, but 71% remain in the early stages, with only 1% considered leaders.

A new study by STT GDC and Ecosystm surveyed 644 business leaders across nine Asian countries to evaluate AI readiness. The report found that while 90% of companies have started adopting AI, a vast majority (71%) are still in the early "Builders" stage. The research assessed readiness across five key areas, including strategic goals, organizational preparedness, data governance, and digital infrastructure. The results show a significant divide between initial efforts and achieving true AI maturity, with only 1% of firms qualifying as "Leaders" who have successfully integrated AI as a core business advantage.

This data highlights a common pitfall for organizations: underestimating the journey from initial AI implementation to strategic integration. The large percentage of companies stuck in the early phase suggests widespread challenges in areas like scaling infrastructure, establishing effective data governance, and developing necessary talent. For CTOs and business leaders, the findings emphasize that successful AI adoption requires more than just technology acquisition. It demands a comprehensive strategy that aligns technology with business goals, prepares the organization for change, and plans for future infrastructure needs. The small fraction of "Leaders" indicates that achieving a competitive edge with AI is a complex, multi-faceted challenge that most are still struggling to overcome.

The report shows that simply starting AI initiatives is not enough. The vast majority of companies are stuck in early stages, indicating a failure to address deeper challenges in infrastructure, data governance, and strategy, which prevents them from realizing AI's full potential.

Businesses risk falling behind competitors if they mistake initial AI adoption for true capability. The 1% of "Leaders" are gaining a significant competitive advantage, while the 71% in the "Builders" phase may see limited ROI and struggle to scale their AI efforts effectively.