Southeast Asia and Hong Kong embrace GenAI faster than global counterparts despite key challenges, new report finds

• More than half of professionals in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong believe AI will reshape their work and require reskilling - 63% are ready to take this step, compared to 57% globally.

• However, the biggest challenge when adopting GenAI in the region is the lack of data or quality sources 

SINGAPORE, 12 March 2025 — According to a new report by SEEK, working professionals across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong are adopting Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) faster than the global average, with 44% stating that they use GenAI regularly for work or personal life, compared to the global average of 39%. Gen Z is at the forefront of this technological revolution, driving the rapid adoption of GenAI across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. Those aged 18-24 consistently exhibit a higher propensity to use GenAI regularly, a trend most evident in Thailand (68%), the Philippines (64%) and Singapore (64%).

The findings come from SEEK, which operates Asia's online employment marketplace Jobstreet and Jobsdb, in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, The Network and The Stepstone Group. This Decoding Global Talent: GenAI Edition 2024 (SEA Edition) report aims to help businesses and talent navigate the evolving employment landscape, spotlighting shifting work preferences in the age of GenAI across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

While the region shows strong GenAI adoption, this technological shift is raising questions about job security across different markets. In emerging countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, workers express higher concerns about job displacement, with up to 40% in Indonesia and 35% in the Philippines fearing significant job loss or transformation. More mature markets like Singapore see AI as a helpful tool rather than a threat, especially in sectors like marketing and media.

Overall, 52% of professionals across the region believe AI will impact some tasks and require them to undergo some reskilling; while 23% expect their roles to be transformed to the extent that significant reskilling will be necessary. Only 6% fear their jobs will become obsolete, whereas 20% are confident that AI will not impact their work at all.

In response to these job security concerns, the region’s workforce is showing willingness to adapt, particularly in emerging markets. The Philippines leads with 74% ready to reskill, followed by Indonesia at 72% and Thailand at 69%. Meanwhile, developed markets like Singapore (53%) and Hong Kong (50%) are taking a more measured approach.

The workforce has also clearly identified what support they need to build their GenAI skills. More than half (53%) want clearer guidance on required skills, surpassing the global average of 48%. Another 45% need better access to learning programmes, while 35% seek more time and money for training. These findings highlight the need for enhanced support to help the region fully embrace GenAI's potential. 

While the region shows strong enthusiasm for GenAI adoption and reskilling, significant barriers are holding back broader implementation. The primary roadblock is the lack of available data or unreliable sources, cited by 35% of respondents—higher than the global average of 32%. This highlights a broader challenge faced by emerging economies, where access to quality datasets remains limited compared to more mature economies.

In addition, 33% of respondents across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong struggle with writing effective prompts, highlighting a critical skills gap in AI literacy Another major hurdle is slow speeds or technical issues in the less developed areas of Southeast Asia, with 31% of respondents in the region citing infrastructure challenges. Addressing these barriers will be crucial for the region to fully embrace GenAI's potential. 

For more information on the new Decoding Global Talent: GenAI Edition 2024 (SEA Edition) Report, please visit: https://sg.employer.seek.com/page/rsa-decoding-global-talent-genai-2024 

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