Digital Lifescapes

Technology is a compelling catalyst for economic growth across the globe.  Artificial intelligence (AI) rides a seismic wave of transformation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region — a market bolstered by bold government initiatives, swelling pools of capital, and vibrant tech ambition. The latest IDC analysis sheds light on this dynamic market. Despite a contraction in deal volumes through 2024, total AI venture funding surged to an impressive $15.4 billion — a signal of the region’s resilience and the maturation of its digital-native businesses (DNBs). Asia-Pacific AI Market Development The APAC AI sector’s funding story is not just about headline numbers but also about how and where investments are shifting. Even as the number of deals slowed, the aggregate value of investments climbed, reflecting a preference among investors for fewer but larger, high-potential bets on mature or highly scalable AI enterprises. The information technology sector led the AI investment charge. Top area...

The artificial intelligence (AI) server market stands at a crossroads, propelled by the dual engines of agentic AI and inferencing, even as it encounters the headwinds of global tariff pressures. As more organizations across industries race to harness AI's transformative power, the infrastructure underpinning these capabilities has become a focal point for investment, innovation, and strategic maneuvering. Recent findings from ABI Research underscore just how dynamic and lucrative this sector has become, forecasting robust growth and highlighting the technological and geopolitical forces at play. Agentic AI and Inferencing Market Development Agentic AI refers to AI systems capable of making independent decisions and taking actions to achieve specific goals, often with minimal human intervention. Inferencing is the process by which trained AI models generate predictions or decisions from new data inputs. Together, these advancements are driving a surge in demand for specialized serv...

The APAC region is undergoing a shift in business technology investment, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as the cornerstone of its digital transformation journey. IDC's latest forecast reveals that AI spending in the region will surge to $175 billion by 2028, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 59.2 percent for Generative AI (GenAI). This significant growth underscores the potential across industries, from healthcare to financial services, as organizations race to harness intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and next-generation customer experiences. Artificial Intelligence Market Development Generative AI leads the charge, with its ability to automate complex tasks and generate novel outputs, reshaping operational paradigms. The technology's rapid enterprise adoption is evidenced by a projected tripling of GenAI investments between 2025 and 2028. Healthcare and education sectors are also accelerating deployments, using AI for personalized medi...

Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) – comprising digital wallets, instant payments, and QR payment systems – are experiencing explosive growth that's reshaping the global financial services marketplace. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research , the combined global transaction value for APMs is projected to reach $142 trillion by 2030. What's particularly fascinating is the underlying driver behind this trend: a growing desire for financial sovereignty, with nations developing domestic payment ecosystems rather than remaining dependent on international financial networks. Payment Ecosystem Market Development In 2024, approximately 45 percent of the global population used digital wallets – a remarkable adoption rate for a technology that barely existed a decade ago. China leads this transition, with 95 percent of its population using WeChat's payment functionality. WeChat exemplifies the "super app" phenomenon, where payment capabilities are in...

While the 2025 economic outlook is uncertain, one thing is clear. The global technology sector continues to produce remarkable resilience and growth, defying earlier concerns about headwinds.  Forrester's latest worldwide market forecast reveals an acceleration in technology spending, projecting it to reach $4.9 trillion this year – a 5.6 percent increase from 2024's $4.7 trillion. This investment surge signals a fundamental shift in how business leaders across the globe are approaching their digital transformation journeys. Global IT Market Development    The magnitude of this spending becomes even more striking when we examine its composition. Software and IT services are poised to command two-thirds of global technology investments in 2025, highlighting the central role of digital capabilities in modern business operations. The software sector, in particular, stands out with its projected 10.5 percent growth rate, positioning it to capture an impressive 60 percent of g...

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and hyperscale cloud computing is fundamentally reshaping data center infrastructure, and liquid cooling is emerging as an indispensable solution. As traditional air-cooled systems reach their physical limits, the IT industry is under pressure to adopt more efficient thermal management strategies to meet growing demands, while complying with stringent environmental regulations. Liquid Cooling Market Development The latest ABI Research analysis reveals momentum in liquid cooling adoption. Installations are forecast to quadruple between 2023 and 2030. The market will reach $3.7 billion in value by the decade's end, with a CAGR of 22 percent. The urgency behind these numbers becomes clear when examining energy metrics: liquid cooling systems demonstrate 40 percent greater energy efficiency when compared to conventional air-cooling architectures, while simultaneously enabling ~300-500 percent increases in computational density per rac...

The global financial services marketplace is transforming, driven by the meteoric adoption of digital wallets. What began as a convenient way to store payment cards on smartphones has evolved into an ecosystem reshaping how billions of people manage money. According to Juniper Research's latest worldwide market study, digital wallet adoption is about to rise again, with user numbers projected to surge from 4.3 billion in 2024 to 5.8 billion by 2029. This growth trajectory is about fundamental changes in how we access financial services. The most compelling Fintech transformation is happening in developing markets, where 'Mobile Money' solutions are bypassing traditional banking infrastructure entirely. Digital Wallet Market Development In regions with large unbanked populations, digital wallets have become the first point of entry into the formal financial system, allowing people to store, spend, and transfer money without needing a traditional bank account. The market has ...

The semiconductor industry is poised for a significant resurgence in 2025, with artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) as the primary catalysts for growth. According to the latest worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), the semiconductor market is expected to experience 15 percent growth in 2025, largely propelled by the increasing demand for AI and HPC applications. This surge is not merely a continuation of existing growth trends but represents a paradigm shift in the industry's dynamics. Global Semiconductor Market Development One of the most striking statistics from the IDC study is the projected 24 percent growth in the memory segment. This exceptional increase is primarily attributed to the rising adoption of high-end products such as HBM3 and HBM3e, which are essential components for AI accelerators. The anticipated introduction of HBM4 in the latter half of 2025 is expected to further fuel this ongoing growth trajectory. Me...

Across the globe, digital business transformation has a new catalyst for substantive advancements. Generative AI (GenAI) is about to transform many industries around the world. According to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), spending on GenAI in the Asia-Pacific region will reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 95.4 percent between 2022 and 2027. "China is projected to maintain its position as the dominant market for GenAI, while Japan and India are set to become the most rapidly expanding markets in the forthcoming years," said Deepika Giri, head of research, IDC APJ . Asia-Pacific  Generative AI Market Development The IDC market study clearly shows the burgeoning Generative AI landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. Here are some of the most significant insights. Surging GenAI Spending: The study predicts a growth trajectory for GenAI spending in the region. By 2027, expenditures are expected to reach $26 billion, reflecting the widespre...

The global marketing and sales landscape is evolving rapidly. New business technology is a game-changer, promising to automate tedious tasks and unlock new levels of optimization. But is the market truly ready to embrace this technology? IDC predicts that by 2026, half of medium-sized businesses in the Asia-Pacific region excluding Japan (APEJ) will be using Generative AI (GenAI) based applications to automate and optimize marketing and sales processes. According to their latest worldwide market study, 47 percent of the midmarket segment in APEJ is already either exploring potential use cases or investing in GenAI tools. SMB Generative AI Market Development Also, 43 percent of companies in the midmarket segment anticipate that the technology will have the most impact on commercial marketing applications. Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) and midmarket segments in APEJ have taken notice of the GenAI potential to revolutionize workflow in various industries. However, companies ar...

Across the globe, senior executive interest and demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in the healthcare sector are surging, driven by a potent combination of common factors. Rising costs, aging populations, and the need for data-driven insights push healthcare leaders to embrace AI's potential for optimizing operations, improving diagnoses, and personalizing care. Moreover, AI promises to alleviate physician and nurse burnout, unlocking efficiencies, and making it a strategic imperative for leaders seeking sustainable growth and improved patient outcomes. GenAI Apps in Healthcare Market Development IDC predicts that by 2025, Generative AI (GenAI) will free up to 10 percent of medical clinicians' time, translating into an estimated $100 billion in annual healthcare savings in the Asia-Pacific region excluding Japan (APEJ) to realize workflow automation and efficiency. This is just one of IDC’s predictions unveiled in their latest worldwide market study. As the li...

The landscape of Marketing and IT is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the relentless evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI). New AI apps are rapidly seeping into every facet of business, reshaping customer experiences, streamlining operations, and enabling workflow automation. This presents a vast opportunity for CMOs and CIOs, yet also a disruptive force demanding rapid adaptation. To stay ahead of the AI trend, these key decision-makers must become active participants. International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that by 2027, Generative AI (GenAI) will assume 30 percent of traditional marketing mundane tasks -- such as website optimization, data analysis, customer segmentation, and hyper-personalization. GenAI Applications Market Development According to the IDC survey results, 37.8 percent of CMOs indicated they have already begun implementing GenAI technologies. Also, 51 percent of CMOs say their top business objective in the next 12 months is to improve lead generation ...

Business technology investment continues to fuel new digital business growth. For example, the transformative role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) within IT operations (ITOps) across the Asia-Pacific region. Almost half (43 percent) of organizations surveyed are currently exploring potential GenAI use cases, with 55 percent of financial organizations and telecom firms investing in GenAI technology in 2023, according to the latest market study by IDC. With the digital-first mindset gaining momentum, leaders are seeking innovative solutions to enhance operations. GenAI stands out as a pivotal technology, offering the means to mitigate risks, boost efficiency, and improve overall productivity. Generative AI Market Development Generative AI is gaining popularity in Information Technology (IT) operations and IT service management, particularly in cost-sensitive Asia-Pacific environments. This technology offers automation of ITOps tasks, reducing operational costs and optimizi...

Demand and spending on Artificial Intelligence (AI) ) within the Asia-Pacific region will grow to reach $78.4 billion in 2027, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). The increase in AI spending reflects a shift toward leveraging technology to transform operations, improve customer experiences, and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market. IDC forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.5 percent for the period 2022-2027. Artificial Intelligence Market Development With a market share of 28.5 percent in 2023, the Professional Services industry is the primary leader in AI application adoption, growing at a CAGR of 22.4 percent during the forecast period. AI investment in professional services is on AI infrastructure provisioning, where end-users gain access to the resources for computing and storage, and for AI system development or the provision of AI services. In the banking industry, AI is revolutionizing customer experien...

eCommerce is a major growth engine of the Global Networked Economy. It experienced an economic boost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the continued shift of commercial and consumer transactions has contributed to even greater upward momentum. There are several trends that are driving the growth of global eCommerce. These include the rise of social commerce, the increasing importance of mobile commerce, and the growing popularity of cross-border shopping. Global eCommerce Market Development Social commerce is enabled by the use of social media platforms to sell products and services. This trend is growing rapidly, as more people are using the channel to discover, learn about and consider new offerings. Mobile commerce is the use of mobile devices to shop for new products and services online. This trend is also growing rapidly, as more people are using their smartphones and tablets to shop for a variety of items and complete purchase transactions. Cross-border shop...

Chatbots are now integrated within messaging software, mobile apps, websites and online services that use Digital Assistants as a form of communication. Chatbots can also be hosted on APIs in a variety of digital channels such as Over-the-Top messaging apps and telecom provider Rich Communications Services platforms. According to the latest worldwide market report by Juniper Research, global retail spend over chatbots is forecast to reach $12 billion in 2023 -- that's growing to $72 billion by 2028. AI Chatbot Market Development Increasing by 470 percent over 5 years, much of this growth will be driven by the emergence of cost-effective open language models, most notably ChatGPT, in regions such as North America and Europe. Open language models consist of large neural networks that are trained on substantial quantities of online information and learn through low levels of human supervision. According to the Juniper assessment, they are implemented into chatbots to automate function...

Even the savviest CEO's desire for a digital transformation advantage has to face the global market reality -- there simply isn't enough skilled and experienced talent available to meet demand. According to the latest market study by IDC, around 60-80 percent of Asia-Pacific (AP) organizations find it "difficult" or "extremely difficult" to fill many IT roles -- including cybersecurity, software development, and data insight professionals. Major consequences of the skills shortage are increased workload on remaining digital business and IT employees, increased security risks, and loss of "hard-to-replace" critical transformation knowledge. Digital Business Talent Market Development Although big tech companies' layoffs are making headlines, they are not representative of the overall global marketplace. Ongoing difficulty to fill key practitioner vacancies is still among the top issues faced by leaders across industries. "Skills are difficul...

The senior executive's quest for meaningful and substantive digital business transformation in the Asia-Pacific region has gained new momentum in 2022. Expectations for digital business model growth are fueling the demand for innovation. Business leaders are considering the next advancement of cloud computing adoption in terms of technology and services to reap benefits beyond cost reduction and IT team productivity, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). Multi-Cloud Market Development "With the multi-cloud environment becoming more manageable, organizations are loving the openness towards having workload portability and getting the best out of their cloud strategy without worrying about challenges of complexities, vendor lock-in, data privacy or governance," said Shahnawas Latiff, research manager at IDC . Organizations in the Asia-Pacific region are already experiencing a transformation from a technology and services implementation...

The knowledge worker and frontline employee experience must adapt to support evolving work models. That includes a digital workspace solution, and perhaps a reimagined physical workplace. Workflow that is performed online will be augmented and optimized. Moreover, the format and design of enterprise office spaces are likely to be significantly transformed. It's inevitable. Traditional leaders who expected a return-to-normal environment have been greatly disappointed by the abandonment of inflexible workplaces. In contrast, many employees welcome the change.  Future Workspace Market Development Around 25 percent of organizations in the Asia-Pacific region are already redesigning their offices, and 70 percent will do so in an 18-month period, according to the latest market study by International Data Corporation (IDC). Why invest now -- given the current economic outlook? Organizations are redesigning their offices to bring employees back onsite and, at the same time, attempt to...

The fifth-generation (5G) wireless cellular technologies are being deployed by mobile network operators. 5G is enabling use cases in business sectors such as healthcare, automotive industries, smart cities, and mobile broadband. Juniper Research anticipates that over 64 percent of global 5G connections will be in the Far East and China. This is due to the early launches in South Korea by all Tier-1 network operators, which were followed by significant launches of commercial 5G networks in China.  5G-based Wireless Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, mobile network operator‑billed 5G service revenue will reach $315 billion in 2023 -- that's rising from $195 billion in 2022. This represents growth of over 60 percent in a single year. The study findings predict this increase in revenue will be driven by the accelerating migration of cellular subscriptions to 5G networks. This is due to network operator strategies that minimize or remo...