Why Asia-Pacific could lead the next wave of AI
Why Asia-Pacific could lead the next wave of AI
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/06/asia-pacific-could-lead-the-next-phase-of-ai-bcg/
Publish Date: 2026-06-16 06:36:00
Source Domain: www.weforum.org
- Asia-Pacific has structural advantages in the next wave of artificial intelligence (AI): the region sits at the centre of the AI value chain, while ageing populations and shrinking workforces drive the need for automation.
- Organizations must think about how work is done and possibly redesign workflows when implementing AI, rather than adding it to existing processes.
- AI should be treated as a strategic business issue rather than a technology initiative delegated to IT teams to lead in the next wave of AI.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has advanced at an extraordinary speed; now the next phase of AI will be increasingly defined by compute, data and physical deployment.
It will bring intelligence out of the digital realm and into factories, supply chains, healthcare systems, transportation networks and robots operating in the real world.
Asia-Pacific enters this phase with significant advantages but leading the next phase of AI will require embedding decisions around AI into leadership or business strategy, rather than leaving these within the technological domain.
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Despite its strong position, much of Asia-Pacific is not moving quickly enough to convert potential into leadership.
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What is Asia-Pacific’s regional AI advantage?
Asia-Pacific occupies a central position in the AI value chain. Taiwan manufactures the world’s most advanced semiconductors. South Korea is a global leader in high-bandwidth memory, a critical component of AI infrastructure.
Japan remains a leader in advanced materials, precision manufacturing equipment and industrial robotics. Mainland China has emerged as one of the world’s largest markets for industrial automation and AI deployment. Together, these capabilities place Asia-Pacific at the heart of the infrastructure required to power the next generation of AI.
The second advantage is that for much of Asia-Pacific, automation is a demographic necessity. Japan’s working-age population is projected to decline by approximately 14 million…
