The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy has unveiled a strategic roadmap detailing how ASEAN can leverage the convergence of 5G and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive economic growth, projecting a $130 billion boost to the Asia-Pacific economy by 2030. The report, “Leveraging 5G to Accelerate AI-Driven Transformation in ASEAN,” provides policymakers with actionable strategies to unlock the region’s digital potential.
The study highlights the uneven adoption of 5G across ASEAN, with penetration rates ranging from 48% in Singapore to less than 1% in other member states. Without coordinated action, these disparities could exacerbate digital divides and hinder regional competitiveness. Professor Vu Minh Khuong from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy emphasised the urgency, stating, “The window for establishing regional leadership in intelligent connectivity is rapidly closing.”
The report identifies ten critical imperatives for accelerating 5G-AI transformation, beginning with establishing coordinated digital leadership to address fragmentation. It recommends five strategic priorities, including developing national 5G-AI strategies, creating empowered coordination agencies, and fostering AI-driven ecosystems through public-private collaboration.
The study also underscores the importance of private 5G networks for Industry 4.0 transformation and positions current 5G deployment as critical infrastructure for the anticipated 6G evolution by 2030. Successful examples, such as Singapore’s 5G-powered smart ports and Thailand’s AI-enhanced disaster management systems, illustrate the transformative potential of coordinated strategies.
The comprehensive 148-page report serves as a strategic guide for policymakers and a call to action for regional institutions to seize the 5G-AI moment, aiming to shape a digitally empowered future for ASEAN’s 700 million citizens.
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