- Southeast Asian businesses view generative AI as a tool to drive growth and enhance productivity.
- However, many enterprises still struggle to scale AI from experimentation to actual deployment.
- Bain reports that fewer than 20% of the companies they consulted have successfully scaled their AI investments.
- Approximately two-thirds of businesses are still in the planning or initial pilot stages.
- The financial services industry is leading the region in integrating AI into workflows.
- Other industries are slower due to concerns over unsystematic implementation and staff unreadiness.
- Bain recommends that businesses should prioritize only 2 to 3 high-value business areas for initial implementation.
- Once success stories are created, it becomes easier for businesses to expand AI to other sectors.
- Bain forecasts that AI could save the most time in finance, followed by consumer goods and healthcare.
- AI currently creates significant value in market analysis, inventory management, pricing, quoting, and sales support to boost revenue.
📌 The report shows that the major hurdle for ASEAN businesses is not a lack of interest in generative AI but the inability to scale deployment. With fewer than 20% of businesses achieving actual application scale and about two-thirds still in the pilot phase, Bain recommends focusing on 2 to 3 areas that bring clear value before expanding. Initial success will help build trust, drive productivity, and support revenue growth.
