Digital Tech Trends in ASEAN: Insights from Kyndryl's Andrew Lim
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - As digital technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, organizations across the ASEAN region are grappling with how to adapt and leverage these advancements. Andrew Lim, the ASEAN Managing Director of Kyndryl, an IT infrastructure services provider, shared his insights on the current digital landscape with People Matters.
The past five years have seen a significant shift in digital technology, particularly marked by the rush towards digitalization during the 2020 global health crisis, a boom in cloud adoption in 2021, and the rapid rise of generative AI in 2022 and 2023. These changes are not just technological but also involve strategic governmental investments and initiatives from big tech to expand the tech-savvy workforce.
Lim highlighted three key trends emerging from this digital rush:
Cyber Resilience: With cyber threats on the rise, exemplified by events like the CrowdStrike outage, companies are focusing on strengthening their cybersecurity measures to safeguard their digital assets.
Cloud-Based Technologies: There's a noticeable shift towards utilizing infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and software as a service (SaaS), with companies like ServiceNow and SAP witnessing significant growth, indicating a move towards more efficient cloud usage.
AI and Data Utilization: The vast data generated by digital processes is now being harnessed for AI applications. Lim noted that companies are setting up specialized AI departments, particularly in sectors like financial services, to leverage this data.
Opportunities in ASEAN
Kyndryl sees immense potential in the ASEAN region, with countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia leading with their national AI strategies. "The region is a cluster of growth and innovation for IT and digital services," Lim stated. The recent appointment of a new managing director in the Philippines also signals a rapid acceleration in digital adoption there.
Lim pointed out that after a period of stagnation during the height of the global health crisis, large corporations are now resuming significant investments in IT infrastructure, opening new avenues for service providers like Kyndryl. He mentioned the aggressive expansion plans of major cloud service providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google Cloud, especially in Malaysia, as a testament to the region's potential.
Preparing for AI
To effectively implement AI, Lim emphasized the necessity of a robust digital foundation. "You can't put the cart before the horse," he said, stressing the importance of data strategy, quality, and governance. Additionally, he underscored the importance of educating the workforce about AI's implications, not just technically but also ethically. Kyndryl itself has invested in training its staff, achieving over 550 certifications across major cloud platforms, aligning with their strategic partnerships with Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Lim concluded by praising the enthusiasm of his team at Kyndryl for embracing new technologies, which he sees as a positive force driving the company's success in the region. As digital technologies continue to evolve, the focus will remain on ensuring that businesses are not only equipped to handle these changes but are also prepared to thrive amidst them.