Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Written by: Nik Faiz Nik Ruzman, Journalist, AOPG.

The race to capitalise on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in the APAC region is shaping up to be the next major technological revolution. While AI has been steadily adopted over the years, with applications like predictive analytics and recommendation systems, GenAI is quickly gaining momentum. By 2027, spending on GenAI is expected to account for 29% of all AI investments, indicating a growing focus on integrating GenAI technologies into business operations alongside traditional AI solutions.

But why are these organisations chasing after GenAI, and what are the specific benefits driving this surge in adoption?

Golden Horizon: A New Chapter in AI Innovation

GenAI is transforming how companies operate, making them more efficient, agile, and data-driven. Unlike traditional AI, which focuses on automating tasks, GenAI adds an element of creation or creativity that wasn’t there before, capable of generating content, ideas, and even code. Its ability to create novel solutions makes it a game changer, helping businesses innovate faster and stay ahead in dynamic markets.

David Li, Chairman and CEO of GreaterHeat

According to David Li, Chairman and CEO of GreaterHeat, the coexistence of GenAI and human talent is not just an opportunity but a necessity.  This is because, in addition to automating repetitive tasks, “GenAI enables employees to focus on innovation and strategic work, such as problem-solving and Customer Relationship Management (CRM),” Li explains.

In APAC’s diverse market landscape, where businesses face unique challenges across industries, GenAI offers tailored solutions that traditional methods simply can’t match. Li emphasises that the key advantages of GenAI lie in its data processing speed, scalability, and customisation.

It can process enormous datasets in seconds, providing businesses with actionable insights that would take human analysts far longer to uncover.

The ongoing self-learning and optimisation capabilities of GenAI also mean that businesses can adapt to changing market conditions more quickly, giving them an edge in a competitive landscape.

In this sense, companies are investing in AI as a way to future-proof their operations!

Glass Ceiling Cracks: Breaking Through the Traditional Mould

Christophe Barel, Managing Director APAC, FS-ISAC

For Christophe Barel, Managing Director APAC, FS-ISAC , GenAI’s impact is particularly evident in data-intensive industries like finance.

GenAI’s unique ability to bridge the gap between technical data and strategic decision-making has made it an essential tool for modern financial services. “It efficiently extracts highly technical data and converts it into more digestible, actionable insights for boards and stakeholders,” Barel notes.

The financial sector has already seen tangible benefits from integrating GenAI into its operations. Barel cited a case from Mastercard, which reported a 300% increase in speed thanks to GenAI’s analytical capabilities!

But as Barel points out, it’s not just about the technology. There are ethical concerns to address, including the risk of bias and misinformation in AI outputs. “Institutions are adopting frameworks for safe and responsible GenAI use, mitigating risks without slowing down innovation,” he adds.

Companies are investing heavily in ensuring that their GenAI technologies align with ethical guidelines, balancing progress with accountability!

AI Metamorphosis: From Automation to Augmentation

Phoebe Poon, Vice President of Product Management at Aicadium

Beyond automating routine tasks, GenAI has a far broader scope. For Phoebe Poon, Vice President of Product Management at Aicadium, GenAI represents a springboard for creativity and strategic decision-making.

“AI systems in general manage repetitive tasks, process and interpret large volumes of data, and deliver actionable insights in real-time,” Poon explains.

GenAI’s ability to assist with Natural Language Processing (NLP), content creation, and personalisation is invaluable across sectors.

Poon highlights how GenAI supports sentiment analysis, language translation, and text summarisation—features that are helping businesses personalise customer interactions and create more engaging content.

Poon also addressed scenarios where labelled data is scarce, GenAI can also be used for data augmentation and synthesis, ensuring that businesses have the resources they need to train machine learning models.

“GenAI supports scenario simulation and planning, allowing businesses to assess risks, optimise strategies, and plan contingencies,” Poon continues.

This ability to enhance both operational efficiency and creativity is why so many companies in APAC are allocating a larger portion of their budgets towards integrating GenAI solutions into their day-to-day operations.

A Talent Evolution: GenAI and the Workforce

Chan-Wah Ng, AI/ML Research Lead at Acronis

As GenAI becomes more embedded in business operations, it is also reshaping the workforce! Chan-Wah Ng, AI/ML Research Lead at Acronis, believes that the rise of GenAI will create new roles while rendering others obsolete.

“AI will create new roles while displacing others, but it will significantly boost overall productivity,” Ng says.

For businesses, this means a fundamental shift in how they allocate human resources. AI engineers and data scientists are becoming more indispensable parts of organisations as companies seek to maximise the potential of GenAI tools.

However, Ng stresses that it’s not just about replacing jobs. “The collaboration between GenAI and human talent will lead to more strategic and creative work,” he adds.

By freeing employees from mundane tasks, GenAI enables them to focus on innovation, a quality that remains distinctly human!

All Hands on Deck: APAC Businesses Set to Double Down on GenAI

The APAC region’s unique combination of technological enthusiasm and diverse market environments makes it an ideal breeding ground for GenAI adoption. For industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, GenAI is more than just a buzzword – it’s becoming an essential part of their operational infrastructure.

As David Li succinctly puts it, “The diverse market environment in the APAC region offers unique opportunities for this collaborative model. Different countries and industries can tailor GenAI applications to their needs, maximising the complementary benefits of AI and talent.”

And so, the region is positioning itself as a leader in AI adoption. With the GenAI gold rush well underway, companies across APAC are laying the groundwork for a future where AI is at the heart of their operations!

The only question is, how will your business harness GenAI to stay ahead of the curve?

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