Singapore warns AI sovereignty could slow ASEAN adoption
Josephine Teo said building the full AI stack is unrealistic, while ASEAN data center capacity is projected to more than triple by 2030.
Singapore Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said the push for AI sovereignty risks slowing artificial intelligence adoption in ASEAN if it is reduced to a race to control the entire technology chain. Speaking at the Asia Economis Summit 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday, Teo said the approach is hard to carry out because the costs are very high and supply depends on a complex global network, from chips and models to data and applications. She said ASEAN countries would be more realistic if they prioritized the ability to use and govern AI, freedom to choose technology partners, and stronger ecosystems of researchers, developers, businesses and digital talent. She also said Southeast Asia has room to expand AI adoption as companies begin integrating it, governments push skills upgrades, and data center capacity is expected to rise more than threefold in 2025-2030.