By Thanit Apipatana

Southeast Asia (SEA) stands at the precipice of a digital revolution, fuelled by its economic growth and rapid adoption of transformative technologies. The region’s digital economy is projected to reach US$600 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) by 2030, underscoring SEA’s robust long-term growth prospects. Factors such as a burgeoning working population, rising income levels, and ongoing urbanisation contribute to its promising outlook for sustained growth.

As businesses and governments across the region embrace digitalisation, a plethora of new tech jobs are emerging, creating opportunities for skilled professionals. Certain sectors within the tech market are poised for significant expansion, driven by the escalating demand for technology and digital skills, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), data science and analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

From e-commerce giants and startups to traditional enterprises, companies are seeking experts who can navigate the complexities of digitalisation, drive innovation, and enhance operational efficiency.

In 2023, organisations in Southeast Asia were projected to increase spending on AI solutions to

US$646 million by 2026 from US$174 million in 2022. According to a report by the Asian Development Bank, it is estimated that the increased use of digital technologies can lead to about 65 million new jobs created yearly in Asia and the Pacific until 2025.

Let’s delve into where these new tech jobs are surfacing and the essential skills required to thrive in this dynamic landscape.

Jobs in Demand

Earlier this year, LinkedIn, the social media job portal, released a report: ‘Jobs on the Rise’ identifying 20 roles in Singapore that are growing in demand. The report encompassed various job profiles across different sectors. In the technology space, the report highlighted roles such as quantitative developers, who design and implement quantitative models for financial institutions such as investment banks, that require essential skills in algorithmic trading, machine learning, and quantitative analytics.

The report also featured cyber security engineers, tasked with safeguarding IT infrastructure and devising solutions to counter digital threats such as hacking. Back-end developers, who code and build server programmes and database functions that support websites and applications, were also included. Moreover, data science specialists, equipped with skills in machine learning, data science, and natural language processing, were identified as highly sought-after professionals.

As companies increasingly invest in AI, many organisations are recognising the need for talent to effectively work with the technology. According to IDC, the Future of Work (FoW) technologies market is expected to reach US$196.2 billion by 2026, driven by investments in augmentation technologies and workplace transformation.

Key FoW technologies like intelligent digital workplaces, generative AI, and enhanced employee experiences are crucial for growth. To stay competitive, tech companies must innovate, align with trends, and differentiate their offerings. In 2023, IDC reports that one-third of Asia Pacific companies (excluding Japan) are investing heavily in generative AI, with nearly half exploring its potential for the Future of Work.

The Changing Job Market Dynamics

As digital transformation and AI technologies continue to revolutionise industries, the skillsets required in the job market are undergoing significant shifts.

In a recent report titled “Accelerating AI Skills: Preparing the Asia-Pacific Workforce for Jobs of the Future,” it was highlighted that approximately 98% of Thai organisations are projected to incorporate generative AI tools by 2028. Moreover, the hiring of AI-skilled employees is prioritised by 94% of employers in the country.

The report further emphasised that in Thailand, employers value workers equipped with AI skills, being willing to offer at least a 41% higher salary to recruit them.

The 2023 Workplace Learning Report by LinkedIn pointed out that skill sets required for jobs have evolved by 25% since 2015. In Singapore, this percentage is even higher, standing at 36%, and is anticipated to increase to 50% by 2025. With Singapore’s concerted efforts to establish itself as an AI hub, this trend is likely to create fresh avenues for both professionals and companies.

For instance, in the next three to five years, Singapore plans to more than triple the number of AI professionals to 15,000 and establish a prominent facility to foster the country’s AI community. These initiatives are part of Singapore’s updated National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2.0, which was launched by the government in December 2023.

According to LinkedIn, more people worldwide are adding AI skills to their profiles than ever before. Based on data from 25 countries, Singapore has seen the highest increase, with the share of members adding AI skills to their profiles growing 20 times by June 2023 compared to January 2016.

The Tech Talent Pool

As Southeast Asia solidifies its position as a hub for digital evolution, startups and innovation, the demand for tech talent in the region is surging. With a population of over 4.7 billion people, Asia at large presents an immense pool of potential tech professionals. While India and China have traditionally led the way in cultivating tech talent, countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are increasingly making their mark on the global tech workforce. The success of Southeast Asian tech talents can be attributed to the education system in the region, particularly in STEM fields. STEM skills and experiences are essential for developing the region’s workforce in research and other high-value jobs in the tech industry.

Despite advancements in STEM education and training initiatives, there remains a pressing need for more qualified tech workers in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Addressing this gap requires concerted efforts from governments, educational institutions, and private sector companies to invest in upskilling and reskilling the workforce.

As we look towards the future of the tech industry, it’s clear that the skills required to succeed are rapidly evolving. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report highlights that by 2027, the most sought-after skills will include analytical thinking, creative thinking, and expertise in AI and big data. With businesses increasingly valuing these abilities, analytical thinking is expected to rise in importance by 72% over the next five years. This surge is attributed to the fact that reasoning and decision-making remain among the least automated jobs, constituting only 26% of task automation.

To thrive in Southeast Asia’s dynamic tech landscape, professionals must continually adapt and enhance their analytical, creative, and technical skills.

Meet Thanit Apipatana or Who is Thanit Apipatana:

Thanit Apipatana is a Bangkok-based entrepreneur, investor, and startup advisor with a keen interest in venture building, real estate, F&B, sports and philanthropy. Mr. Apipatana has advised and invested in companies in the region, including Singapore-based proptech startup Mogul.sg and Thai-based Life Below Labs. As a thought leader, Mr. Apipatana shares his insights on entrepreneurship, F&B, education, sports and the social sector.