AI adoption in APAC: A Rising Trend with Hidden Risks

Companies across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including India, are ramping up AI adoption to boost productivity and revenue, with nine out of ten organizations planning to deploy agentic AI models in the next three years. However, a recent Accenture study reveals a significant gap in responsible AI preparedness, with only 1% of APAC companies fully equipped to anticipate and mitigate AI risks such as compliance, privacy, and data security.

Responsible AI: A Critical Yet Underdeveloped Priority

The study assessed organizational and operational maturity in responsible AI across global companies and highlighted key trends in APAC:

• AI as a Strategic Growth Driver: Nearly 48% of APAC businesses view responsible AI as an enabler of AI-driven revenue growth.

• Disparity Between Organizational and Operational Maturity: While 78% of APAC companies exhibit strong organizational maturity in AI governance, only 10% have achieved corresponding operational maturity.

• Surpassing Global AI Maturity Benchmarks: Around 19% of APAC organizations demonstrate both organizational and operational AI maturity, ahead of the global average of 15%.

• Surge in Responsible AI Investments: Significant investment in responsible AI is set to quintuple from 10% to 50% over the next two years.

• Top AI-Related Risks: Privacy and data governance (57%) are the most pressing concerns, followed closely by security risks (53%).

Recommendations for APAC CXOs

To bridge the gap between AI adoption and responsible implementation, Accenture outlines five key recommendations for business leaders:

1. Establish AI Governance: Define and enforce responsible AI principles with clear accountability across design, deployment, and usage.

2. Conduct AI Risk Assessments: Evaluate AI risks in terms of fairness, transparency, accuracy, and human impact.

3. Implement Responsible AI Testing: Ensure AI systems are continuously tested for fairness, explainability, and safety.

4. Adopt Real-Time Monitoring: Deploy AI monitoring systems for ongoing compliance and risk mitigation.

5. Address Ethical and Regulatory Concerns: Align AI initiatives with ethical and legal standards through cross-functional collaboration.

Industry Leaders Weigh In

Ryoji Sekido, Co-CEO of APAC and CEO of Asia Oceania, Accenture, stated: "Businesses in APAC are accelerating AI investments, but many struggle to extract full value. Scaling AI successfully requires trust-building, a strong data foundation, and operationalizing responsible AI to create long-term value."

Saurabh Kumar Sahu, MD and Lead for India Business, Accenture, emphasized India’s role in responsible AI adoption: "With AI and generative AI gaining momentum in India, ensuring fairness, safety, and sustainability is crucial. The Government’s IndiaAI mission is a strategic move, but success requires a collective focus on responsible AI, large-scale skilling, and widespread adoption."

Study Methodology and Scope

Accenture’s Responsible AI Research surveyed 1,000 companies across 22 countries, spanning industries such as aerospace, financial services, healthcare, and public services. Of these, 254 were APAC-based companies, providing key insights into the region’s AI landscape. The study, co-developed with Stanford University, assessed responsible AI maturity based on governance, risk management, cybersecurity, and operational best practices.

Conclusion

As APAC companies push forward with AI-driven growth strategies, the urgency to establish robust responsible AI frameworks is clearer than ever. While investment in AI is increasing, the region must address the stark gap in operational AI maturity to ensure compliance, security, and ethical implementation. The road ahead requires a unified approach, balancing innovation with responsible AI practices to foster trust, sustainability, and long-term success.