iFLYTEK Southeast Asia General Manager Fred Wang
In a revolutionary move, Singapore said it would invest over US$743 million into the artificial intelligence industry over the next five years to boost the country’s AI capabilities further. In his Budget speech last week, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also said the island nation would work with leading companies to set up AI centres of excellence to spur innovation.
With this tech taking centre stage and changing the digital landscape, many Southeast Asian countries are closely monitoring the developments in the industry and considering policies to regulate its use.
Against this backdrop, e27 spoke to Fred Wang, General Manager (Southeast Asia) at iFLYTEK, an open AI platform for mobile internet and intelligent hardware developers.
Below are the edited excerpts:
How has AI adoption evolved in Southeast Asia over the past decade, and what factors have contributed to the region’s increasing prominence in the global AI landscape?
The year 2023 was a transformational period for AI technology, altering how we live. The adoption in the region has grown significantly over the past decade.
The factors that contributed to the region’s increasing prominence in the global AI landscape are:
Digital transformation: We have seen a significant increase in using digital technology in areas like finance, e-commerce, and healthcare. This change has made a lot of data available, giving AI more chances to grow and do well.
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Cost-effectiveness and error reductions: AI-driven robotics and automation systems have streamlined production processes, increasing throughput and reducing operational costs for manufacturing companies.
Support from governments: Governments throughout Southeast Asia acknowledge the pivotal role of AI in stimulating economic growth and fostering innovation. As such, numerous countries in the region have enacted AI-centric policies, initiatives, and investment strategies to propel the advancement and integration of AI technologies.
Growth of tech hubs: Cities like Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City have become tech hubs, leading to the attraction of talent and investment and showing a keen interest in advancing AI development. These hubs provide funding opportunities and push the ecosystem for AI startups and enterprises.
Could you provide insights into the key industries within the region that are driving the growth of AI applications and how these advancements are reshaping traditional business models and strategies?
As the world strides ahead, Southeast Asia keeps pace close behind. Several key industries, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, are driving the growth of AI applications and reshaping traditional business models and strategies in significant ways.
In finance, many fintech companies use it to support customer services, including chatbots and voice recognition. An example would be OCBC Bank, which has introduced a chatbot called Emma to provide customers with personalised financial advice, recommendations, and assistance on various banking products and services.
In the healthcare sector, AI is driving innovation in medical diagnostics. For example, Thai startup Perceptra is leading the change with its artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic medical imaging service.
MiyaHealth, a Singapore-based company, offers AI-driven health tech solutions to enhance patient engagement and optimise healthcare outcomes.
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In e-commerce, many companies, for example, Lazada, use artificial intelligence to power recommendation engines or personalised marketing campaigns.
What are some notable success stories or case studies showcasing the transformative impact of AI in Southeast Asian countries, both in terms of economic growth and societal development?
There are a couple of notable success stories and case studies that highlight the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in Southeast Asian countries, contributing to both economic growth and societal development. They’re not just important for economic growth but also for making people’s lives better.
For example, there’s a startup called Ricult in Vietnam. It uses artificial intelligence and IoT to help farmers grow crops better, deal with pests, manage crops, and get bigger yields. Then there’s DoctorOnCall, a Malaysian startup offering online doctor consultations using telemedicine. It uses AI to help figure out what’s wrong with the patients and decide how urgent it is.
How are governments and regulatory bodies in Southeast Asia responding to the rise of AI, and what policies or initiatives are being implemented to foster innovation while ensuring ethical and responsible AI deployment?
Due to the rise of artificial intelligence, governments are taking steps to foster innovation and ensure responsible deployment, especially investing in AI research and development and regulatory framework. A significant aspect of this effort involves substantial investments in R&D. These investments aim to bolster the respective countries’ capabilities in this domain. Funding initiatives, grants, and partnerships with academia and industry are pivotal in fostering AI innovation and nurturing talent.
Additionally, regulatory frameworks tailored to artificial intelligence technologies are being established. These frameworks address critical issues such as data privacy, transparency, accountability, and bias mitigation. Countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia have either enacted or proposed laws and guidelines to regulate AI usage across various sectors.
In what ways are Southeast Asian startups and tech companies leveraging AI to address local challenges and cater to the diverse needs of the region’s populations, including those in rural and underserved areas?
Southeast Asian startups and tech companies are leveraging artificial intelligence in various ways to address local challenges and cater to the diverse needs of the region’s populations, including those in rural and underserved areas, such as language and cultural diversity, as well as transportation and logistics.
Also, AI technologies are being used to eliminate language barriers by offering translation services, chatbots, and personalised content, which help bridge communication gaps and cultural differences. In the transportation and logistics sectors, artificial intelligence algorithms come into play to optimise transportation routes, taking into account factors like traffic conditions, road quality, and delivery schedules.
How do cultural and societal factors influence AI’s adoption and acceptance in Southeast Asia, and how are companies navigating cultural nuances to ensure successful integration and adoption?
Cultural and societal factors influence the adoption and acceptance of artificial intelligence technologies in Southeast Asia. Many individuals worry that AI advancements could disrupt manufacturing and agriculture by replacing human workers. Companies should emphasise how AI can enhance human abilities rather than completely replacing jobs.
Also Read: Unlocking Southeast Asia’s financial potential with artificial intelligence-powered fintech
To navigate these cultural nuances and ensure the successful integration and adoption of AI technologies, Southeast Asian companies prioritise ethical considerations and social responsibility in designing, developing, and deploying AI technologies. This involves ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in algorithmic decision-making processes.
What are the implications of Southeast Asia’s growing AI capabilities on the global stage, particularly in terms of competitiveness, innovation, and collaboration with other AI powerhouses?
Southeast Asia’s growing AI capabilities carry significant implications on the global stage across various domains; AI ethics & policy are one of the domains. With the rise of AI, Southeast Asia faces important ethical and policy considerations that have implications beyond the region.
Issues such as data privacy, making sure algorithms don’t unfairly favour certain groups, and what happens to jobs when artificial intelligence takes over tasks – all these things need careful thought and discussion. And it’s not just a local issue but affects the rest of the world. That’s why Southeast Asia must work together with other countries to tackle these challenges. By teaming up and coming up with solutions together, Southeast Asia can play a major role in shaping how AI is used responsibly around the globe.
Looking ahead, what trends do you anticipate in the continued evolution of AI in Southeast Asia, and what opportunities do you foresee for further growth, expansion, and impact on the global AI landscape?
There are several trends anticipated in the continued evolution of AI in Southeast Asia, including the adoption of AI solutions and a focus on ethics in artificial intelligence. As the use of AI rises in Southeast Asia, we are creating awareness of and promoting its benefits. However, with growing concerns, we are also facing the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, particularly regarding the transparency and accuracy of the information we receive from AI.
Regarding opportunities for further growth, expansion, and impact on the global AI landscape, collaborating with international partners will help Southeast Asian companies stay competitive on the global stage and contribute to advancing the global AI landscape.
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