Asia Pacific (APAC) is at the forefront of global enterprise AI adoption, with a significant portion of firms investing heavily in generative AI (genAI) and aligning leadership to accelerate transformation. According to Forrester’s latest report, “AI Adoption Across Regions, 2025,” 26% of APAC companies have invested between $400,001 and $500,000 in genAI, surpassing North America and Europe. Furthermore, 33% of APAC CEOs are the primary owners of AI strategy, compared to 18% in North America and 8% in Europe.
The report, based on Forrester’s State Of AI Survey, 2025, highlights APAC’s aggressive deployment of AI across IT operations and data engineering. APAC firms report 63% genAI adoption in IT operations and 46% in data management, reflecting the region’s readiness to integrate AI into core business functions. This strategic leadership is driven by the fast-growing markets in APAC, where speed offers a competitive edge.
Workforce transformation is also underway, with 76% of APAC respondents acknowledging the need for employees to find new roles due to AI. Additionally, 47% have reduced headcount or replaced employees with AI, and 66% are slowing hiring to assess AI’s impact. APAC employees are notably prepared for this shift, with 91% feeling motivated to learn and having received formal training.
Frederic Giron, VP and Senior Research Director at Forrester, stated, “Asia Pacific’s leadership in AI adoption reflects bold investment, decisive leadership, and a clear understanding of regional dynamics.” As APAC continues to scale AI, the focus will shift towards governance, literacy, and measurable ROI, with regional leaders prioritising sovereignty and responsible deployment by 2026.
