Generative AI reaches 243 million users across Southeast Asia

Oct 21, 2026
Google, Temasek and Bain's e-Conomy SEA 2026 report says 243 million Southeast Asians, 58% of workers, have adopted generative AI in under three years.

Google, Temasek and Bain & Company say in their 2026 e-Conomy SEA report that 243 million people across six Southeast Asian markets, or 58% of the working population, have adopted generative AI in less than three years. Half of users consult it weekly and almost a fifth use it daily.

Consumer use cases account for about 60% of regional AI usage. In Singapore and Malaysia, the two most AI-mature markets, enterprise workloads make up most of it, while Indonesia and the Philippines have the most room for user growth.

Usage per person is about 10% of US levels, and only around 1% to 2% of people in the six markets pay for generative AI. The report says 69% of consumers use AI to compare products and 93% trust its recommendations. AI-focused companies took 80% of private digital economy investment in the past six months, up from 30% in the second half of 2024.

The report is produced by a technology company, an investment firm and a consultancy that all do business in the region's digital economy.

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