IBM Encourages AI Enterprise Adoption At THINK Singapore 2025

Catherine Lian, General Manager and Technology Leader of IBM ASEAN. (photo: dock. IBM)

Singapore IBM affirms its commitment to accelerating the adoption of large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) in the Southeast Asia region through the THINK Singapore 2025 event. In an event held at theaturation Hotel, Singapore, Wednesday 20 August, IBM showcases various hybrid cloud innovations, AI agents, as well as cross-industrial solutions designed to help companies maximize their data potential and face business challenges in the future.

According to a new study of IBM CEO, the company's investment in AI is expected to more than double in the next two years. As many as 85 percent of CEOs surveyed believe that by 2027, investment in large-scale AI will result in positive returns in the form of efficiency and cost savings.

Meanwhile, another 77 percent are optimistic that the investment will also have a positive impact on growth and business expansion. The study also mentioned that more than one billion new applications will be present in 2028, putting pressure on companies to be able to integrate, orchestrate, and prepare data in increasingly fragmented environments.

However, AI transformation is not solely related to technology or business processes, but also changes in human mindset and skills. The executives are now encouraging teams to adapt more quickly and set ambitious targets in large-scale AI innovations.

IBM Chief AI Officer studies emphasize that investment value and returns are in the spotlight, making the role of Chief AI Officer increasingly important. However, only 23 percent of organizations in the ASEAN region currently have this position.

Real advantages come from AI designed with a clear purpose and able to have measurable impact. In IBM, we combine hybrid cloud technology, AI's agentic capabilities, as well as in-depth expertise across industries to cut complexity, accelerate the implementation of AI ready for production, and help companies operate it quickly, said Catherine Lian, General Manager and Technology Leader of IBM ASEAN.

The THINK Singapore 2025 event also featured various real cases of implementing AI in the manufacturing sector, public services, and the entertainment industry. IBM through Industry 4.0 Studio shows how AI combined with 5G connectivity, hybrid cloud, and edge computing can transform important operations and increase productivity.

From the implementation of AI and AR-based smart glasses for the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF), monitoring of solar power plants with drones and Maximo systems, to AI-based dog robots capable of patrolling facilities independently, the entire demonstration emphasized how AI was able to create new value while increasing operational readiness.

IBM also presents simulations of technician and investigator training using mixed reality technology to test AI's ability to improve repair accuracy and field training.

In addition to displaying practical solutions, IBM also shows innovation in the field of quantum computing that is being developed with research partners to solve complex problems that cannot be handled by classical simulations. IBM is also launching the latest generation of IBM Power11 servers, which are redesigned to bring availability, resilience, performance, and scalability to the application of hybrid cloud in the company.

On the same occasion, IBM featured the role of AI in the sports world through a collaboration with Sevilla FC that uses a genrative AI to support the player's scoring process, Scuderia Ferrari with fan engagement applications that utilize AI, as well as prestigious tournaments such as Wimbledon, US Open, and The Masters that rely on watsonx to bring AI-based comments and personal digital experiences to millions of fans.

In the ASEAN region, IBM is expanding its strategic collaboration with a number of large companies. PSA Singapore, one of PSA International's flagship terminals, is collaborating with IBM through ILOG CPLEX Optimization Studio to optimize container management and ensure the operational efficiency of the world's largest port.

In Malaysia, Hibiscus Petroleum utilizes IBM Maximo for predictive maintenance in the oil and gas sector, while KPJ Healthcare adopts a watsonx-based chatbot to improve patient services in 30 hospitals.

Indonesia is also in the spotlight with collaboration between IBM and Telkom Indonesia in developing awatsonx-based Sovereign AI solution to support responsible digital transformation. IBM is also working with TruCarbon in building an AI-based TruMRV system for real-time carbon monitoring, reporting and verification, as well as assisting Garudafood in ERP migration to AWS Cloud to increase operational efficiency in its eight business units.

In the Philippines, Meralco PowerGen adopted IBM Maximo Application Suite to optimize the management of low-carbon power generation assets, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable asset management strategy.

With this suite of initiatives, IBM affirms its role as a strategic partner in the digital transformation journey of the ASEAN region. Through a combination of hybrid cloud, AI, and other new technologies, IBM is committed to presenting solutions that are not only efficient and responsible, but are also able to provide tangible results for businesses in the future.