AI Ready ASEAN Expands: 250,000 More to Gain Digital Skills by 2028

• The AI Ready ASEAN programme will train 250,000 more people across Southeast Asia by 2028.
• Indonesia links AI training with ASEAN’s projected $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.
• Gulf Development plans $4.3 billion spending to add AI data center capacity in Thailand.

Indonesia has expanded regional cooperation on AI through a new agreement with the ASEAN Foundation. The programme will train 250,000 more people across Southeast Asia through online courses, workshops, and public awareness activities by 2028.

Indonesia and the ASEAN Foundation announced the memorandum of understanding in Jakarta on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Indonesia’s Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said ASEAN countries need stronger cooperation as new technologies expand across public and private sectors.

AI Ready ASEAN Skills

According to a report, the agreement scales up the AI Ready ASEAN programme. The initiative would focus on practical digital skills, responsible technology use, and wider awareness among communities across member states.

Training would be delivered through modular online lessons, in-person workshops, and public campaigns. The structure is designed to reach learners with different levels of digital experience.

Patria said the programme reflects the need for coordinated action across the region. He said ASEAN countries must work together to advance AI adoption and share knowledge.

Officials said member states face similar barriers in research, infrastructure, and workforce readiness. Those challenges have increased the need for regional programmes that can support workers, students, and public institutions.

The initiative also places responsible use at the center of training. Participants would learn how AI could be used in daily work, education, and public services while understanding ethical risks.

The expanded programme comes as Southeast Asia’s digital economy continues to grow. The region’s digital economy is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030.

Indonesia is expected to contribute about $366 billion to that total. That forecast has placed greater attention on skills development in the region’s largest economy.

Patria said ASEAN should be seen as a connected region through culture, politics, and technology. He said member countries could share experience, systems, and capabilities as they develop new digital tools.

The AI Ready ASEAN programme has already reached a wide audience since its launch in 2024. According to the ASEAN Foundation, more than 5.3 million people have joined activities linked to AI literacy and responsible use.

Gulf Development Targets AI Infrastructure Growth

The regional effort is unfolding as companies across Southeast Asia expand infrastructure for cloud computing and AI-related services. In Thailand, Gulf Development Pcl plans large investments in data centers and supporting systems.

Sarath Ratanavadi, Thailand’s richest man, plans to spend as much as 140 billion baht, or about $4.3 billion, through Gulf Development over the next five years. The company aims to meet rising demand for data capacity.

Chief Financial Officer Yupapin Wangviwat said Gulf Development plans to add up to 2,000 megawatts of data center capacity. The company and its partners currently operate facilities with a combined capacity of about 200 megawatts.

Wangviwat said AI and cloud computing are major growth opportunities for the company. She said its power business gives Gulf Development an advantage because data centers need stable electricity supply.

Gulf Development shares rose as much as 5.8% to a record on Thursday. The move set the stock on course to lift its gain for the year above 61%.

Related: How AI Agents Are Becoming Crypto Traders’ Co-Pilots in 2026