Report: 86% of APAC C-suite execs plan to increase AI investment, yet skill gap remains

Accenture’s latest Pulse of Change survey has revealed APAC business leaders’ strong confidence in AI - and a widening gap in workforce readiness. According to the report, 86% of APAC C-suite executives plan to increase AI investment, undeterred by economic uncertainty.

Yet, over half admit that the pace at which AI is advancing is making it difficult to keep up, as fewer than half (41%) are prioritising employee upskilling and reskilling.

The findings, based on responses from 700 C-suite leaders and 713 employees across the region, suggest that while executives are bullish on AI’s potential, employees are being left to bridge the skills gap on their own.

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AI becomes a teammate, not just a tool

Both leaders and employees agree that AI is no longer just a productivity tool - it is fast becoming a collaborator in daily work. More than half of employees (55%) say they turn to AI first for support with tasks, particularly in data analysis (51%), learning and development, and research.

However, this enthusiasm for AI adoption is tempered by concerns about preparedness. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of employees say AI is evolving faster than their organisation’s ability to train them.

Still, optimism remains strong. Among the surveyed employees, 82% trust their organisation to help them stay relevant in an AI-driven future, even if only 48% report having a moderate understanding of how generative AI creates value.

Across the region, executives are confident that their businesses are ready to harness AI. Some 58% report productivity gains in IT and tech functions, followed by operations (43%) and R&D (41%). But fewer are translating that progress into people strategies. 

“Southeast Asia is operating in a time of continuous disruption, where change is now the only constant. Across the region, we’re seeing strong momentum behind AI investments, but enthusiasm alone doesn’t drive impact. Many leaders are still underinvesting in workforce training, creating a readiness gap that limits AI’s true potential. When employees show a willingness to adapt, it’s not just a signal - it’s an opportunity to build the skills needed to fully harness AI,” said Anoop Sagoo, CEO, Southeast Asia, Accenture.

Agentic AI gains ground

The next frontier of adoption, agentic AI - systems that act, decide, and collaborate with minimal human input - is already being piloted across APAC.

Some 83% of C-suite leaders believe their technology landscape is ready for AI agents, while 63% are actively investing in this technology and 57% have begun deployment.

Among employees, uptake remains lower, with 45% regularly using AI agents. Yet, receptiveness is strikingly high: 83% are comfortable delegating routine tasks to AI agents, and 82% believe these tools can free them to focus on more creative or strategic work.

Indonesia’s turning point

Jayant Bhargava, country managing director, Indonesia at Accenture, said the findings mirror the transformation underway in Indonesia’s economy. 

“The Pulse of Change findings reflect what we’re seeing in Indonesia - the pace of reinvention is accelerating, driven by AI, automation, and digital transformation. Too often, organisations focus on deploying technology without fully enabling people. True transformation happens when human capability and intelligent technology advance together - when culture, skills, and processes evolve alongside innovation,” Bhargava said.

He added that Indonesia is now entering a pivotal phase of AI adoption. “With its dynamic digital economy, thriving startup ecosystem, and strong government commitment through initiatives like the National AI Strategy, the country is building the foundation for responsible and scalable AI growth. By leveraging its young talent base and expanding digital infrastructure, Indonesia is well-positioned to drive transformation across industries.”

The report highlights a clear mismatch between ambition and enablement. Employees are embracing AI tools and even pursuing self-learning through online courses (57%) and social media (52%), while many organisations still lag in offering structured training.

Accenture’s findings signal that for the region to fully capitalise on AI’s promise, leaders must invest not only in systems but in skills - ensuring that human capability evolves alongside technological advancement.

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