IDC Unveils Key Trends for Asia/Pacific Leaders to Gain Competitive Advantage in the AI-Driven Digital Economy
SINGAPORE, 12 February 2025 – International Data Corporation (IDC) has recently released the annual IDC FutureScape: W orldwide Digital Business and AI Transformation 2025 Predictions – APeJ Implications report, highlighting the impact of Digital Business and AI transformation on enterprises across the Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) (APEJ) region. IDC predicts that AI spending will grow at 1.7x the rate of overall digital technology spending in the next three years, generating an APEJ economic impact of over $1.6 trillion by the end of 2027.
IDC’s prediction emphasizes that AI has transitioned from an emerging technology to a cornerstone of business strategy, with generative AI (GenAI) amplifying this shift. However, this accelerated growth comes with challenges, such as digital skills shortages and the imperative for responsible AI adoption.
“The integration of AI into the core of digital business strategies has created immense opportunities for APEJ enterprises,” said Lawrence Cheok, associate research director for digital business and AI transformation strategies, IDC Asia/Pacific. “Leaders must prioritize addressing talent shortages, implementing responsible AI policies, and aligning AI investments with strategic goals to unlock the full potential of AI-driven transformation.” .
Here are other key trends shaping the digital economy, focusing on how organizations can navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI-driven transformation to secure a competitive edge:
Evolving Digital Role of CIO: IDC predicts by 2026, as digital transformation becomes core to business strategy, 40% of IT leaders will rise as business leaders to align people, operations and business models with digital technologies.
Evaluating Digital ROI: IDC predicts by 2026, 40% of APEJ organizations will excel at measuring ROI of their digital tech investments, adopting a unified, data-driven approach to assess key financial, operational, customer and ecosystem metrics.
Increased Data Focus in AI Strategy: IDC predicts by 2025, 80% of enterprises will fail to treat data as a product and put in place the discipline to unlock the value of data for all stakeholders, delaying their AI-fueled business models further.
Closing Digital Skill Gaps Become Critical: IDC predicts by 2027, 60% of APEJ organizations will experience digital skills shortages that cause project delays, slowing AI technology implementations into the following year.
IDC anticipates that organizations leveraging AI/GenAI effectively will widen the digital divide to become leaders in the digital economy. Key focus areas include aligning IT architectures and AI platforms with business workflows, fostering data-as-product strategies, and embedding trust-centric AI governance. These shifts accelerate ROI and enable organizations to achieve sustainable growth while maintaining ethical practices.
Each year, IDC releases its top technology predictions at worldwide, regional and country levels through its IDC FutureScape Reports and offers strategic and data-driven insights into what is ahead for the rapidly changing IT industry. These predictions have been used to shape the strategies and business objectives of technology leaders and business executives in the next 1-5 years. All the predictions stated here cover Asia/Pacific implications.
Catch an on-demand replay of IDC’s 2025 Predictions presentations on AI Everywhere Playbook, Building an AI-Fueled Business, Unblocking AI Everywhere Blockers, and Mapping Growth Opportunities in an AI Everywhere Era by register ing here .
Asia/Pacific Excluding Japan FutureScape Reports come with a complimentary report that provides specific recommendations for tech vendor sales and marketing leaders. Leverage IDC insights to better understand clients’ priorities and enhance your storytelling and go-to market plans, access the IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Digital Business & AI Transformation 2025 Predictions ― Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Implications: Positioning for Success ― Opportunities for Tech Sales and Marketing Leaders market presentation here .
For more information about IDC FutureScape and other resources, please visit our regional FutureScape site. For sales inquiries on the IDC FutureScape framework and reports, please contact your IDC account manager or Tessa Rago at trago@idc.com. For media queries, please contact Michael de la Cruz at mdelacruz@idc.com or Miguel Carreon mcarreon@idc.com.
*Asia/Pacific excluding Japan
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About IDC FutureScapes
IDC FutureScape reports are used to shape IT strategy and planning for the enterprise by providing a basic framework for evaluating IT initiatives in terms of their value to business strategy now and in the foreseeable future. IDC’s FutureScapes are comprised of a set of decision imperatives designed to identify a range of pending issues that CIOs and senior technology professionals will confront within a typical five-year business planning cycle.
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About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world’s leading tech media, data and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com/ap. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDCAP and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.