ASEAN+ businesses are accelerating their adoption of hybrid infrastructure and ramping up investments in artificial intelligence (AI) at a record pace, according to the latest findings from Lenovo’s CIO Playbook 2025 – It’s Time for AI-nomics. The study, conducted in collaboration with IDC, surveyed over 2,900 IT and business decision-makers globally, including 900 from 12 markets in Asia Pacific (AP).
ASEAN+ is emerging as a leader in hybrid AI infrastructure, with 68 per cent of organisations opting for hybrid or on-premise solutions—surpassing the global average of 63 per cent and AP’s 65 per cent. This trend is being driven by the need for secure, low-latency environments that provide both scalability and control.
The research highlights a 2.7-fold increase in AI spending in ASEAN+, compared to a 3.3-fold rise across AP. However, AI adoption in the region remains in its infancy, with only 47 per cent of organisations currently evaluating or planning to implement AI within the next 12 months—lagging behind AP’s 56 per cent and the global average of 49 per cent.
Despite this cautious approach, ASEAN+ firms are focusing AI applications on optimising supply chains, enhancing regulatory compliance, and improving workforce productivity. The return on investment (ROI) remains a key challenge, with AP organisations expecting a 3.6x return on AI projects, necessitating a careful balance between experimentation and scalability.
“Business priorities are shifting in Asia Pacific,” said Sumir Bhatia, president of Asia Pacific Infrastructure Solutions Group, Lenovo. “For 2025, governance, risk, and compliance have jumped 12 spots to become the top priority, highlighting the focus on secure and responsible AI. Employee productivity has also climbed from #7 to #2, underscoring its growing importance. Lenovo is committed to making AI accessible, ethical, and impactful—helping businesses of all sizes thrive in the AI era.”
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) a Top Priority
As AI adoption accelerates, concerns around governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) are becoming increasingly critical. Ethical risks and biases remain a major concern, yet only 24 per cent of organisations globally, 25 per cent in AP, and 24 per cent in ASEAN+ have fully implemented AI GRC policies. Lenovo’s report underscores the need for explainability, ethical frameworks, accountability, enhanced privacy, and security measures in AI governance.
GenAI Gains Traction in ASEAN+
Generative AI (GenAI) is poised to revolutionise business operations in ASEAN+, accounting for 42 per cent of AI spending in 2025. Customer service emerges as the top AI use case in the region, contrasting with AP’s prioritisation of IT operations. Engineering, R&D, and cybersecurity are also key focus areas for ASEAN+ organisations looking to drive AI-driven efficiencies.
Hybrid Infrastructure Dominates AI Deployment
The preference for hybrid and on-premise solutions is evident across ASEAN+, where 68 per cent of organisations are leveraging these models to support AI workloads, ensuring better control over data security and compliance. This is in stark contrast to the 19 per cent that still rely on public cloud services.
“Hybrid architectures offer the best of both worlds—scalability and control,” said Varinderjit Singh, general manager of Lenovo Malaysia. “With ASEAN+ leading the way in hybrid AI adoption, businesses are prioritising innovation while ensuring security and compliance. Lenovo’s end-to-end AI solutions and strategic partnerships are driving smarter AI adoption across the region.”
Skilled Partnerships to Bridge AI Talent Gaps
The growing AI momentum is accompanied by a rising demand for skilled partnerships. The report finds that 44 per cent of ASEAN+ CIOs are actively engaging professional AI services to address data management challenges, talent shortages, and cost efficiency concerns. Another 56 per cent are in the process of exploring such partnerships.
“AI adoption is not just about short-term gains. Organisations must invest in efficient AI design, deployment, and integration,” said Fan Ho, executive director and general manager, of Solutions and Services Group, Lenovo Asia Pacific. “Professional AI services play a crucial role in ensuring outcome-driven implementation. Lenovo’s AI Fast Start programme accelerates this journey, enabling businesses to pilot, optimise, and scale AI initiatives with expert guidance.”
AI-Powered PCs: The Next Wave of Innovation
AI-powered PCs are gaining traction, with 43 per cent of AP organisations already reporting productivity improvements. While ASEAN+ adoption remains in its early stages, 65 per cent of organisations are in the planning phase, indicating a strong potential for growth as AI maturity increases.
Lenovo’s latest research confirms that ASEAN+ is at the forefront of hybrid AI infrastructure adoption, but challenges remain in AI governance, ROI realisation, and talent development. As investments continue to rise, businesses must prioritise secure, ethical, and scalable AI deployment to maximise long-term gains in the digital economy. 
