The Business Times · 11 Oct, 23:00 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Asean companies keen on AI for business benefits, despite its energy costs

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

ASEAN enterprises are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to drive operational efficiency and revenue growth, even as they confront the substantial energy consumption associated with advanced computing. This trend highlights a strategic prioritisation of immediate business value over immediate sustainability concerns regarding power usage. Organisations across the region are investing heavily in AI infrastructure to remain competitive, acknowledging the trade-off between technological advancement and increased carbon footprints. The narrative underscores a pragmatic approach to digital transformation, where economic imperatives currently outweigh environmental constraints in corporate decision-making processes.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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You must adapt to a landscape where AI adoption is accelerating despite sustainability headwinds. Professionals who understand both the technical implementation and the strategic business case for AI will see their market value rise significantly. Focus on developing skills in AI strategy and sustainable computing to navigate this tension. You should proactively learn how to optimise AI workflows for energy efficiency while demonstrating clear ROI to stakeholders. This dual competency makes you indispensable to leaders balancing growth with ESG commitments. Start by upskilling in AI governance and green tech solutions. Position yourself as a bridge between technical teams and executive strategy, ensuring your organisation adopts AI responsibly without sacrificing performance or incurring unsustainable operational costs.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Sustainable Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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