For years, the region has been described as one of “untapped potential.” But as the world shifts to a digital-first economy, the real story is emerging: Southeast Asia is fast becoming a testbed for the boldest ideas in technology, AI, and digital infrastructure.
With U.S. and Chinese tech ecosystems increasingly diverging, Southeast Asia stands out as one of the few places where both collide—and co-exist. This unique position could turn the region into a live innovation laboratory, where new consumer behaviors emerge, breakthrough models are born, and capital is flowing at record-breaking rates.
Billions are pouring into AI-ready data centers, quantum computing facilities, and cloud infrastructure. Homegrown tech champions like Grab, Sea, and GoTo are shaping models that the rest of the world is beginning to emulate. The region’s complexity—its hundreds of languages, young population, and diverse markets—makes it the ultimate proving ground for the future of technology.
This brings a great opportunity: South-east Asia could lead this wave of innovation instead of simply hosting it.
Albert Chang and Michael Park argue for a bolder vision in their op-ed, one that calls for greater risk-taking, local capital investment, and a cultural shift toward building world-class companies from the region, not just for it.
The question for founders, investors, and business leaders is no longer “Should we?”—it’s “What’s our next bold move?”
Read the full op ed in The Business Times. It is behind a paywall.