How South-East Asia can transition into an intelligent economy

World Economic Forum (Nov 18, 2025) "How South-East Asia can transition into an intelligent economy" reports the region's digital economy is predicted to surpass $300 billion in gross merchandise value in 2025 — 1.5 times the inaugural forecast made ten years ago. Consumer adoption is strong: 75% of consumers say AI-powered platforms help them expand their choices and make tasks easier, while 45% cite saving time on research and comparison as a main motivation. The piece argues sustaining growth requires robust foundational investment in physical infrastructure and careful AI regulation that balances innovation with ethics and consumer trust. Forecast: by 2030 ASEAN is projected to become the world's fourth-largest economy, with its digital economy more than doubling to $560 billion. Direct strategic context for SEA mid-market boards.