Southeast Asian companies increasing their AI spending by 2.7 times according to Lenovo CIO Playbook 2025
Filipino businesses are significantly ramping up their investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), part of a regional trend that sees Southeast Asian companies increasing their AI spending by 2.7 times. This rapid adoption aligns with the Philippines’ national strategy to cement its role as a key player in the global digital economy, according to the latest findings from the Lenovo CIO Playbook 2025 study released on Wednesday.
The report, titled It’s Time for AI-nomics, highlights how the Philippines is making foundational moves to scale AI integration. National initiatives like the AI Roadmap (2021–2028) and plans for a National Center for AI Research are creating a fertile ground for innovation across vital sectors, including BPO, manufacturing, and healthcare.
The AI Investment Surge Meets Practical Hurdles
While enthusiasm for AI is high, the study reveals that the journey is still in its early stages for many. In the ASEAN+ region, which includes the Philippines, 47% of organizations are still evaluating or planning to implement AI in the next 12 months. The primary barrier? Demonstrating a clear Return on Investment (ROI).
Another major challenge is establishing proper governance. While ethical issues and data biases are top-of-mind risks, only 24% of businesses in the region have fully implemented enterprise-wide AI governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) policies. This gap highlights an urgent need for structured frameworks to ensure AI is deployed responsibly and securely.
Generative AI (GenAI) is poised to be a game-changer, projected to command 42% of AI implementation spending in 2025. For businesses in Southeast Asia, the number one use case for GenAI is Customer Service, a finding particularly relevant to the Philippines’ world-class BPO industry. This is followed by IT Operations and Engineering/R&D.
A Hybrid Future and a Local Commitment
To power these advanced workloads, businesses are overwhelmingly choosing a mix of on-premise and cloud solutions. The study found that 68% of organizations in the ASEAN+ region prefer hybrid or on-premise infrastructures for their AI applications, valuing the security, control, and low-latency performance they provide.
Lenovo, a global technology leader, is positioning itself to support this transition. “As the Philippines advances its vision of becoming a key player in the regional AI landscape, Filipino businesses are accelerating their digital transformation with a clear focus on AI solutions that are innovative, responsible, and ROI-driven,” said Michael Ngan, President and General Manager of Lenovo Philippines.
Ngan emphasized Lenovo’s long-standing presence and commitment to the country. “Through our portfolio of AI-ready devices, solutions, infrastructure, and services, we are helping build a strong foundation for long-term growth, improved competitiveness, and inclusive participation in the AI-driven economy.”
As companies navigate the complexities of AI, many are turning to expert partners. A significant 44% of CIOs in the region are already leveraging professional AI services, with another 56% planning to do so, signaling a clear trend toward collaboration to bridge skill gaps and ensure successful, scalable AI deployment.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
