By bno – Taipei Branch
A recent study from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) has urged ASEAN nations to take advantage of a shrinking chance to foster significant economic development by combining 5G technology with artificial intelligence (AI), theVietnam Investment Review (VIR) reports.
Titled Utilizing 5G to Speed Up AI-Powered Transformation in ASEAN: Necessities, Policy Observations, and Suggestions, the research presents a structure to harness the area’s digital capabilities and establish its role in the upcoming global economy. The document is based on survey results and discussions with more than 400 experts from eight ASEAN countries.
It predicts that 5G could add as much as $130 billion to the Asia-Pacific economy by 2030. Nevertheless, implementation within ASEAN is inconsistent, with Singapore having a 48.3% adoption rate, while many other nations are far behind, recording figures under 1%.
The report cautions that without collaborative action, the region faces the danger of deepening current digital inequalities and lagging behind as other economies rapidly embrace advanced technologies.
The combination of 5G and AI is seen not just as a technological improvement, but as the essential framework for the region’s upcoming digital economy, supporting smart production, accurate farming, and self-driving transportation. LKYSPP highlights the importance of regional leadership in what it calls “intelligent connectivity,” warning that the chance to achieve this leadership is quickly disappearing.
To tackle fragmentation and promote advancement, the research also outlines ten key priorities for ASEAN’s 5G-AI development. The top priority is the importance of unified digital leadership and national strategies that combine both technologies, shifting from minor enhancements to groundbreaking innovation.
The report recommends that member states view 5G as a key driver for artificial intelligence.VIRbrings more than just a telecommunications improvement. Tackling skill shortages, especially those that are preventing businesses from adopting new technologies, is also considered a top concern.
The results also showcase practical instances of early achievements. Singapore’s 5G-enabled smart port system has managed to cut latency by 50%, while Thailand has implemented AI-driven disaster response systems. In Malaysia, a wholesale network approach has extended 5G access to 82% of the population.
The report highlights these examples, indicating the extent of possible influence when effective strategies are applied at both national and regional levels.
The LKYSPP further highlights the importance of private 5G networks in advancing the fourth industrial revolution, especially within advanced manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure. Fixed wireless access is also noted as a viable option to address connectivity issues in rural and underdeveloped regions.
In the future, the report highlights the current 5G rollout as crucial preparation for the 6G era, which is anticipated to arrive by the end of the decade. Choices made today will influence the region’s competitive edge for many years ahead.
