Digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the way firms innovate, compete and build resilience. While AI and digital technologies can unlock productivity gains, improve access to markets and enhance competitiveness, they are also becoming essential tools for navigating an increasingly volatile global environment. Recent geopolitical disruptions, including the impacts of the conflict involving Iran on trade routes, logistics and supply chains - have demonstrated how digital capabilities can help businesses monitor risks, adapt operations and maintain continuity during periods of uncertainty.
The Forum will be structured around two complementary sessions. The first will examine the SME AI policy landscape across ASEAN, highlighting how countries are supporting AI adoption by firms through different policy frameworks, institutions and support mechanisms. Drawing on the OECD taxonomy of SME AI adopters, it will compare emerging national approaches, identify common regional patterns and differences, and consider how policy support varies across different stages of the AI adoption journey, and how policy could be further developed. The second will explore how digital technologies can strengthen business resilience by helping firms anticipate, respond to and recover from economic and geopolitical disruptions, including recent shocks affecting trade, logistics and supply chains.
The Forum is intended for policy makers from ASEAN Member States (AMS), OECD member countries, international organisations, MSME and business associations, and other stakeholders involved in enterprise development, digital transformation, innovation, and AI policy.
