The second and final day of GITEX AI ASIA Singapore sharpened attention on cybersecurity risks, next-generation networks, and the race to scale artificial intelligence across Southeast Asia, with implications for emerging digital economies such as the Philippines, where rapid digital adoption is outpacing safeguards.
Held at Marina Bay Sands, the two-day event convened participants from more than 110 countries, including over 550 companies, 175 speakers, and investors managing upwards of $350 billion in assets.
Day two discussions centered on how ASEAN can sustain momentum toward a projected $2 trillion digital economy by 2030 while addressing vulnerabilities in increasingly interconnected systems.
“Across ASEAN, digital growth is outpacing cyber resilience. We must design tech-neutral laws, strengthen regional cooperation, and ensure there is clear leadership and honest communication when incidents occur. Otherwise, a single attack can quickly erode trust not just in one institution, but in an entire system,” said Dr. Megat Zuhairy, chief executive of Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Agency.
Cybersecurity spending across ASEAN is projected to climb from $5.5 billion in 2025 to $14 billion by 2031, reflecting mounting exposure from cloud adoption, AI deployment, and IoT expansion—trends also reshaping Philippine enterprises, particularly in banking, outsourcing, and telecommunications.
David Koh, commissioner of cybersecurity and chief executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, pointed to a fourfold increase in advanced threats between 2021 and 2024, underscoring the urgency of coordinated responses across governments, industry, and academia.
Executives said the shift is already reshaping corporate strategy. Alvaro Garrido, chief operating officer for technology and operations and chief information security officer for data at Standard Chartered, highlighted the move toward “secure-by-design AI,” emphasizing training, trust, and ethics alongside technological capability. Magnus Ewerbring, chief technology officer for Asia-Pacific at Ericsson, questioned whether Southeast Asia can maintain its pace of digitalization without reinforcing data protection and public confidence.
Alongside policy discussions, companies used the event to showcase technologies aimed at operationalizing AI at scale.
China’s H3C presented integrated infrastructure spanning computing, storage, networking, and security to support enterprise transformation. “H3C is committed to being a trusted partner for customers pursuing digital transformation. At GITEX AI ASIA, we’re showcasing our full-stack digital infrastructure capabilities — spanning computing, storage, networking, security, and edge—along with our integrated platform for cloud, AI, and intelligent connectivity.”
iFLYTEK previewed AI-powered smart glasses ahead of their planned May launch, signaling a shift toward embedding AI into everyday communication. “As the industry shifts from technical competition in large model computing power and algorithms, to the deep integration of AI into daily work and life that reshapes service experiences, solutions like our AI glasses signal a shift—where AI is no longer a feature, but an invisible layer enhancing how we communicate and connect. At iFLYTEK, we see this as a pivotal moment to reimagine human interaction at a global scale.”
Forescout emphasized cyber-asset visibility across IT, operational technology, and connected devices. “At GITEX AI ASIA 2026, Forescout showcases how organizations can achieve complete visibility and control across all connected cyber assets, including IT, OT, IoT, and IoMT environments. As digital environments become increasingly connected, maintaining visibility into every device and system is critical to reducing cyber risk and strengthening operational resilience,” said Evan Duman, regional sales director for ASEAN.
Datalec Precision Installations highlighted demand for AI-ready infrastructure. “Asia-Pacific is at the center of the global AI and cloud revolution, and that transformation depends on robust, efficient, and scalable data infrastructure. At Datalec Precision Installations, our mission is to make it faster and easier for operators to bring AI-ready capacity online, without compromising on quality, resilience, or sustainability,” said Peter Cole, executive vice president for Asia-Pacific.
Longer-term competitiveness was framed around network leadership and regional scale. Dian Siswarini, president director of Telkom Indonesia, said the transition to 6G will shape how economies integrate AI—an area where the Philippines is still building out 5G coverage and fiber infrastructure. “AI is transforming everything about how we design networks, from massively scaled data centers to where we place compute at the edge. To compete in an AI-native, 6G world, we must treat digital infrastructure as a strategic asset—not just for connectivity, but for national competitiveness.”
Shih Guan Chua, managing director and global head of the digital economy group at DBS Bank, said Singapore and the broader region are emerging as hubs for globally scalable companies—offering a model for Philippine firms seeking to expand beyond a domestic market of more than 110 million people.
As the event closed, discussions pointed to a common conclusion: Southeast Asia’s ability to secure and govern its digital systems will determine whether it can fully capture the economic upside of AI and hyperconnectivity.
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