ATxEnterprise 2026 Marks AI Transformation in Southeast Asian Business, Moving from Experimentation to Real-World Application
The shift of AI in Southeast Asia from mere exploration to real-world business application was the main focus at the 2026 Asia Tech x Enterprise (ATxEnterprise/ATxE) event, part of Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG), organised by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Informa Festivals. Held at Singapore Expo, the event recorded over 120,000 business interactions and featured international exhibitors and speakers accounting for 55% of total attendees. Participants hailed from Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Europe, and North America. These achievements further cement Singapore’s position as a strategic gateway connecting global innovation with Asia’s digital economic development.
ATxEnterprise 2026 also reflected broader changes across Southeast Asia. Businesses are no longer merely experimenting with AI but integrating it into long-term strategies. With over 700 exhibitors occupying 35 pavilions, ATxE brought together companies, industries, and technologies driving growth in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, satellites, media, and digital infrastructure.
More than 450 speakers, including policymakers and industry leaders, participated in ATxE 2026. Alongside global companies such as Microsoft and TikTok, the event was attended by representatives from Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, as well as ambassadors and trade leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union. Discussions covered opportunities and challenges shaping Southeast Asia’s digital future, from sovereign AI implementation to strengthening regional connectivity.
AI Adoption Expands Across Industries
One indicator of this trend was increased participation from non-technology sectors. The supply chain, logistics, and transportation sectors saw a 500% rise in corporate VIP buyers, while healthcare and pharmaceuticals rose by 320%, retail and FMCG by 80%, manufacturing by 37%, and banking and financial services by 32%.
This cross-sector demand underscores AI’s growing strategic importance for businesses. Business activities at the event were driven by decision-makers, with 71% of attendees holding managerial or higher positions. To facilitate cross-border business collaboration, ATxE featured networking programmes such as ATxConnect, the Hosted Buyer Programme, and Startup Pitch Sessions.
Driving Southeast Asia’s AI and Digital Transformation Agenda
Discussions at ATxEnterprise 2026 centred on the foundations needed to sustain long-term digital growth, including workforce readiness, cybersecurity resilience, trusted digital ecosystems, and regional coordination.
In his opening speech, Senior Minister for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How discussed Singapore’s efforts to make AI more practical and accessible for businesses, particularly SMEs. New initiatives were launched to accelerate AI adoption and bolster corporate cybersecurity, including the AI for Enterprise Impact Playbook — a guide developed from input by over 1,000 companies to help digitally mature businesses determine their next AI steps. IMDA also partnered with Grab and RSM Stone Forest IT to support the Digital Enterprise Blueprint, a national strategy aiding SME digital transformation via leading technology providers. Additionally, Tan announced the inaugural SME AI Impact Awards 2026 to encourage more SMEs to adopt AI technology.
Joyce Wang, Event Director for ATxSG at Informa Festivals, said: ‘The level of convergence across industries, markets, and leadership groups this year was particularly notable. Discussions are no longer about whether AI will be adopted, but how companies and governments can implement it responsibly, securely, and collaboratively on a broader scale in the region. ATxEnterprise has transformed these discussions into tangible partnerships, practical solutions, and measurable business outcomes.’
ATxEnterprise will return to Singapore Expo from 26-28 May 2027.