Google, Temasek and Bain report: generative AI used by 243M; Southeast Asia digital economy to hit $368B in 2026
The 11th e-Conomy SEA report from Google, Temasek and Bain & Company finds generative AI is now used daily by about 243 million people in Southeast Asia and projects the region's digital economy will grow 17% YoY to $368 billion in GMV in 2026, on track to exceed $1 trillion by 2035. The report forecasts a 60-fold rise in regional AI usage by 2030, highlights rising trust and demand for agentic commerce, and calls for tripling data center capacity, stricter model/energy efficiency, and unified regional governance (including ASEAN DEFA) to sustain growth.