Businesses in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are increasingly prioritising digital sovereignty, with over half seeking greater control over their sensitive and strategic data. This trend is driven by rising concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) security and compliance, according to a recent IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Expereo.
The research reveals that 51% of APAC organisations prioritising digital sovereignty aim to retain control over their data, closely aligning with the global figure of 53%. Notably, 43% of APAC respondents rank digital sovereignty as a leading driver of technology investment, compared to 30% globally. This underscores the growing importance of governance, risk, and compliance as organisations expand their AI and cloud initiatives.
Eric Wong, President Asia Pacific at Expereo, highlighted the complexity of achieving digital sovereignty across the region. “Businesses are navigating different regulatory environments, cross-border data requirements, and geopolitical risks whilst accelerating their adoption of cloud and AI,” he stated. Wong emphasised the need for multinational organisations to maintain visibility and control over data movement without fragmenting operations.
The report also notes that 60% of APAC organisations not yet using AI cite security, data privacy, compliance, or digital sovereignty concerns as significant barriers. Furthermore, only 9% of APAC firms report their network infrastructure is fully ready to support new technology initiatives, indicating a need for upgrades.
As AI adoption accelerates, the demand for flexible and scalable networks is expected to rise, with 57% of organisations seeking improved network resilience and reliability. This shift highlights the critical role of networks in supporting AI and digital sovereignty efforts across the APAC region.
