The Silent Engine of Digital Resilience: Why Developer Experience Is Now a Boardroom Priority

In the boardrooms of Jakarta, Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul, CIOs are no longer just asking, “How fast can we ship software?” They’re asking, “How sustainably can our developers innovate under mounting pressure—from regulators, customers, and competition?”

Across Asia, digital transformation has shifted from optional to existential. But the hidden bottleneck isn’t infrastructure or cloud spend—it’s developer productivity and experience (DevEx). As regulatory landscapes tighten (think Singapore’s PDPA amendments, Japan’s revised APPI, and Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act enforcement), and as AI-augmented development reshapes workflows, enterprises that treat DevEx as a cost centre are falling behind those that treat it as a strategic asset.

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, Toh Soon Seah (Sia), founder and CTO, Netgain, discusses why developer experience is a boardroom priority, and how to turn DevEx into a core enterprise value.

1. What is developer experience (DevEx)?
2. Why is DevEx suddenly a C-suite priority in Asia in 2025–2026?
3. How are tightening data privacy regulations—from Singapore’s PDPA to Korea’s PIPA—reshaping the way engineering teams build software?
4. What role does cognitive load play in developer productivity, and why are leading Asian enterprises investing in internal developer platforms (IDPs) to reduce it?
5. Can AI-augmented development coexist with regulatory compliance, or does it introduce new risks?
6. How are companies in Asia embedding compliance into the developer workflow—not as a gate, but as guardrails?
7. What measurable business outcomes (beyond speed) are organizations seeing from mature DevEx practices—e.g., talent retention, audit readiness, incident reduction?
8. Why is “developer onboarding time” now a KPI for CIOs in digitally ambitious markets like Vietnam and Indonesia?
9. How do cultural and operational differences between countries in Asia influence DevEx strategies?
10. What are the pitfalls of treating DevEx as an IT initiative rather than an enterprise-wide value driver?
     
    1. Do you see this trend towards use of platforms a positive step in appdev?
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12. Looking ahead to 2026, what will separate the digital leaders from the laggards in Asia’s competitive tech landscape—code volume, or developer enablement?

The corporate treasury function in Southeast Asia (SEA) and Hong Kong is navigating a complex landscape defined by monetary policy divergence, rapid technological adoption, and evolving regulatory demands. 

The role is transforming from an operational cost-centre to a strategic value-driver, focusing on resilience, efficiency, and strategic advisory. Key issues for 2026 will be mastering data analytics for decision-making, managing currency volatility in a multi-polar world, and integrating sustainability into the core of treasury operations.

In this PodChats for FutureCFO, we are joined by Pulat Yunusmetov, director, Zanders Singapore.

1.       What is the function of treasury?

2.       What do you mean by a proactive treasury? 

3.       Since you brought up the topic of the pandemic. What did you experienced or see during the pandemic that triggered this desire to transform treasury to a proactive function?

4.       The pandemic may be over, but we continue to experience economic volatility in the form of the wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, socio-political turbulence in many parts of the world, as well as more pronounced natural calamities in Asia. How have these events impacted corporate treasury?

5.       In 2025, do you think treasury is still an interesting career to pursue?

6.       You have built your career around the treasury function. How would you describe your journey over the years? Drawing from your own experience, what are the career prospects for treasury roles in the years to come?

7.       What skills do I need to have to be good at a treasury role?

8.       In the last couple of years, we’ve noticed an increased curiosity and interest around artificial intelligence as applied to the finance function. In what ways will AI, and its variants – GenAI, agentic AI, AI agents – impact the treasury function and profession?

9.       In 2026, what will be the biggest challenge or challenges facing the treasury function?

10.   What is the business of Zanders Singapore?

In 2025 identity has become the new (security) perimeter, making identity security attacks a primary threat vector for organisations throughout the region. Threat actors are targeting user credentials and privileged access pathways, moving beyond traditional network-based assaults to exploit identities as the weakest link. 

This is forcing CISOs to re-evaluate their defence-in-depth strategies, with a pronounced focus on securing privileged access management (PAM) as a critical control point. As organisations adopt zero trust architectures, we are seeing just-in-time and just-enough-access privileges becoming standard practice. But what about the use of AI in identity management?

In this PodChats for FutureCISO, we are joined by Nigel Tan, Delinea’s director of sales engineering in APAC, shares his views on how is AI altering identity and access management strategies?

1.       Before we start, give us the 30-second elevator pitch of who Delinea is.

2.       How is AI Redefining Identity and Access Management?

3.       Please identify emerging AI-driven IAM use cases in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong? 

4.       How do you see Agentic AI potentially changing Privileged Access Management (PAM)?

5.       We may have covered this in the earlier questions, what are the cybersecurity risks of AI-Enhanced IAM? Please cite 2025 incidents on the same topic.

6.       Efforts are underway to come up with regional regulations around AI use. Can we expect something similar around AI in IAM?

7.       Can AI improve IAM for hybrid workforces?

8.       You mentioned earlier about identity access rights that have become dormant. What role would GenAI/Agentic AI play in identity lifecycle management?

9.       Deepfake cases are growing in Asia. How should CISOs prepare for AI-enabled identity fraud?

10.   What skills will security teams need for AI-driven IAM? How about endusers?

11.   What is the future of AI in IAM for Southeast Asia and Hong Kong?

The conversations in the boardrooms of Southeast Asia and Hong Kong have fundamentally shifted. Two years ago, the discourse around Artificial Intelligence was dominated by fear: fear of disruption, fear of competitors moving faster, and crucially, fear of emerging regulation. 

Today, in late 2025, that fear has crystallised into strategy. For forward-thinking CIOs and functional leaders, AI regulation is no longer an obstacle to be circumvented; it has become a catalyst for building a durable competitive advantage—what industry leaders now call “The Governed Advantage.”

In this new paradigm, efficiency is taking a backseat to trust with consumers, partners and investors allocating their capital and loyalty to businesses that demonstrably deploy AI responsibly. 

In a region characterised by disjointed and patchy regulation, winners are those that moved from a mindset of compliance to one of operationalisation – embedding governance into the very fabric of their AI lifecycle and strategy.

CIOs are building targeted use cases—in fraud detection, hyper-personalised customer engagement, or predictive supply chain management—that have built-in governance, proving that rigour enables velocity, not the opposite.

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, Russell Fishman, Global Head of AI Solutions at NetApp, joins us to share his views on how we can achieve the operationalisation of trusted AI in 2026  

Rusell, welcome to PodChats for FutureCIO.

1.       Name the most important characteristics of a trusted AI as viewed from the POV of a CIO?

2.       What are the top 3 drivers pushing enterprises in the region to accelerate trusted AI adoption?

3.       What are businesses in the region doing right (and wrong) in their current approach to responsible AI? 

4.       Why do we continue to have a data problem?

5.       (Chinese philosophy about risks and opportunity) Why should CIOs see the evolving regulatory landscape in SEA+HK as an opportunity?

6.       Given the evolving nature of the technology and regulation, how should a CIO approach the company’s AI strategy so that it is adaptive, scalable and sustainable?

7.       How should CIOs architect their AI strategy to support innovation while staying compliant?

8.       What role does technology infrastructure, particularly data management, play in enabling this new era of governed AI?

9.       Looking ahead to 2026, what is the single most important action a CIO should take now?

In 2025, Asian CISOs navigate a hardened regulatory landscape where updated Cyber Security Acts and PDPA amendments significantly raise the stakes. With stringent new rules on cross-border data transfers, mandatory breach notifications, and AI governance, compliance is a primary battlefield. Regulators are flexing enhanced audit powers and levying multi-million-dollar fines, making unpreparedness a critical corporate risk.

The challenge lies in harmonizing these diverse, evolving mandates across jurisdictions while countering sophisticated threats like ransomware and cloud account takeovers. However, this pressure also creates strategic opportunities. 

Joining us on this PodChats for FutureCISO is Ananth Nag, APAC VP, Rubrik.

QUESTIONS:

1.       How do the latest amendments to the PDPA and equivalent ASEAN frameworks (e.g., Malaysia’s PDPA, Brunei’s PDPO) redefine consent, DPO obligations, and lawful data processing for 2026?

2.       Under the new Cyber Security Act, what designation criteria classify organisations as critical information infrastructure owners—and what heightened obligations follow?

3.       What mandatory incident reporting timelines, formats, and cross-jurisdictional protocols must be embedded into our response plans for countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore?

4.       How should CISOs evolve their incident response and breach notification strategies to align with the operational convergence of the Cyber Security Act and PDPA mandates?

5.       Which sovereign cloud providers and data residency architectures satisfy both national regulations and the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework for cross-border flows?

6.       What evidence of “reasonable security arrangements”—including DPIAs (impact assessment), encryption standards, and privacy-by-design—will regulators demand during audits across ASEAN?

7.       How are third-party and supply chain obligations expanding under these acts, and how must vendor contracts and due diligence be updated to mitigate cascading liability?

8.       In what ways are regulators leveraging AI for compliance monitoring—and how can we ethically deploy AI while meeting emerging governance mandates for automated decision-making?

9.       What penalties (fines, imprisonment, operational suspension) should compliance heads budget for, and what cyber resilience benchmarks (e.g., NIST-aligned) must we certify against to avoid them?

10.   How do we future-proof our compliance strategy amid ASEAN regulatory convergence—through board-level cyber governance metrics, strategic regulator partnerships, and anticipatory investment in ransomware/supply-chain resilience? What is your advise for Navigating the New Cyber Security Act & PDPA in 2026?

The ASEAN region’s enterprises are no longer choosing between legacy systems and cloud-native architectures; they are converging them. This is where Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture (CSMA) cease to be competing paradigms and become symbiotic enablers.

For ASEAN CISOs and CIOs, this duality is not theoretical—it’s operational. Regulatory mandates from Singapore’s MAS Technology Risk Management Guidelines, Bank Negara Malaysia’s Cyber Security Framework, Indonesia’s OJK Regulation No. 12/2023, and Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) demand granular control over data residency and access.

With regulation, pressure to innovate securely, and new technologies like AI making their influence known, what is the path forward for CISOs and CIOs to safeguard resilience without double headcount or budget?

In this PodChats for FutureCISO, Steve Riley, Vice President and Field CTO, Netskope, shares is perspective on How ASEAN CISOs Are Rebuilding Security for a Borderless Cloud Era.

1.       How can CISOs effectively integrate Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles to secure access in multi-cloud environments without impeding business agility?

2.       In what ways might Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture (CSMA) unify their fragmented security tools across hybrid IT infrastructures?

3.       What role will AI and emerging technologies play in amplifying cloud security risks, and how can CIOs/CISOs mitigate them proactively?

4.       What has worked with regards to how organisations approach use of ZTNA and CSMA?

5.       Any recommendation for quantifying the ROI of shifting from perimeter-based firewalls to a zero-trust + mesh model—not just in cost savings, but in risk reduction?

6.       What long-term metrics should CISOs track to evaluate the success of their cloud security strategy in a rapidly changing Southeast Asian landscape?

7.       Why platforms when it comes to cybersecurity? How does it map to defense-in-depth?

8.       How will we address the increased complexity of managing a distributed security model while adhering to Zero Trust principles?

9.       What would be a realistic roadmap for evolving security posture to embrace both CSMA and Zero Trust?

In 2024, there were 440,000 detected cyber threats to critical infrastructure, and the U.S. Critical Infrastructure experienced a surge in attacks, including the Volt Typhoon and Chinese Telecom Network Infiltration. For 2025, projections indicate 30% of critical infrastructure organizations will experience a security breach, and major attacks on the sector are expected to continue, according to Gartner.

As we welcome 2026, what would a maturing artificial intelligence present to critical infrastructure, and how should CISOs strengthen their cybersecurity strategies to reflect the evolving technology, regulatory, geopolitical and business landscape in the coming years.

Joining us on PodChats for FutureCISO is Lim Hsin Yin, vice president of sales for ASEAN at Cohesity for her views on the topic of Resilience in Action: Critical Infrastructure Defence.

1.       What is Cohesity?

2.       How robust are enterprises’ data resilience strategies in Asia—including immutable backups, air-gapped copies, and recovery drills—in ensuring operational continuity after ransomware or destructive cyber-attacks? What KPIs are being used to measure its effectiveness?

3.       To what extent have enterprises in ASEAN integrated IT and OT security teams, tools, and processes to achieve unified threat visibility and coordinated response across our entire critical infrastructure estates, especially considering legacy systems prevalent in the region?

4.       How are CISOs continuously re-evaluating and managing third-party and supply chain risks—especially for vendors linked to OT environments—to prevent breaches similar to regional supply chain attacks like MOVEit or airport data centre infiltrations?

5.       What zero-trust and segmentation measures have CISOs prioritised to protect industrial control systems (ICS) and OT environments against increasingly sophisticated hacktivist and state-backed threat actors targeting ASEAN and Hong Kong critical infrastructure?

6.       How are enterprises leveraging real-time, cross-border threat intelligence sharing within ASEAN to detect and disrupt pre-positioning and advanced persistent threats (APTs), as exemplified by campaigns like Volt Typhoon?

Coming into 2026, what are you expecting as far as critical infrastructure defense, and what should operators of critical infrastructure be taking in terms of their defense structure?
 

In 2025 identity has become the new (security) perimeter, making identity security attacks a primary threat vector for organisations throughout the region. Threat actors are targeting user credentials and privileged access pathways, moving beyond traditional network-based assaults to exploit identities as the weakest link. 

This is forcing CISOs to re-evaluate their defence-in-depth strategies, with a pronounced focus on securing privileged access management (PAM) as a critical control point. As organisations adopt zero trust architectures, we are seeing just-in-time and just-enough-access privileges 

As organisations mature in their understanding and use of AI, FutureCISO becoming standard practice. But what about the use of AI in identity management?

In this PodChats for FutureCISO, we are joined by Nigel Tan, Delinea’s director of sales engineering in APAC, shares his views on how is AI altering identity and access management strategies?

1.       Before we start, give us the 30-second elevator pitch of who Delinea is.

2.       How is AI Redefining Identity and Access Management?

3.       Please identify emerging AI-driven IAM use cases in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong? 

4.       How do you see Agentic AI potentially changing Privileged Access Management (PAM)?

5.       We may have covered this in the earlier questions, what are the cybersecurity risks of AI-Enhanced IAM? Please cite 2025 incidents on the same topic.

6.       Efforts are underway to come up with regional regulations around AI use. Can we expect something similar around AI in IAM?

7.       Can AI improve IAM for hybrid workforces?

8.       You mentioned earlier about identity access rights that have become dormant. What role would GenAI/Agentic AI play in identity lifecycle management?

9.       Deepfake cases are growing in Asia. How should CISOs prepare for AI-enabled identity fraud?

10.   What skills will security teams need for AI-driven IAM? How about endusers?

11.   What is the future of AI in IAM for Southeast Asia and Hong Kong?

For Chief Operating Officers, CFOs, and heads of warehousing, logistics, and retail across Asia, 2026 will be defined by one overarching theme: strategic resilience through intelligent automation. The region's blistering e-commerce growth, coupled with persistent geopolitical and supply chain volatilities (as highlighted by analysts like BCG regarding the fragmentation of global trade), is forcing a fundamental rethink of operational models.

By 2026, we will see the full maturation of trends nascent in 2024. AI and machine learning will transition from pilot projects to the core operational nervous system of high-performance warehouses. Their primary role will be predictive: forecasting demand spikes with greater accuracy, pre-empting maintenance on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotics to prevent downtime, and dynamically optimising inventory placement to slash picking times and maximise cube utilisation.

In this PodChats for FutureIoT, we are joined by Ms Vivien Tay, APAC Vertical Lead for Warehousing, Transport & Logistics, Zebra Technologies.

1.       At the operational level, briefly describe the business environment today from the perspective of the supply chain. 

2.       Given the fragmentation of global trade routes, how are organisations in Asia leveraging AI and data analytics to build more regionalised and resilient supply chains to mitigate geopolitical risks?

3.       How are enterprises integrating predictive analytics into daily operations to move from reactive problem-solving to pre-empting issues in inventory management, maintenance, and order fulfilment?

4.       Given that most organisations have existing warehouse management systems (WMS), name one proven approach for integrating new AI-powered software with existing legacy systems without causing disruptive downtime.

5.       Beyond labour displacement, can you share a proven approaches/framework for measuring the full ROI of automation investments, including improved accuracy, enhanced safety, reduced shrinkage, and increased employee retention?

6.       Many technologies fail as they move from pilot to scale, how can organisations ensure that the automation technologies they implement today are scalable and flexible enough to adapt to unpredictable demand cycles and future business growth?

7.       With increasing focus on ESG, how are organisations using automation to measure and reduce their carbon footprint through optimised energy use, waste reduction, and smarter inventory planning?

8.       As operations become more reliant on connected IoT devices and AI, what enhanced cybersecurity measures can be implemented to protect against operational shutdowns and data breaches?

9.       How is investment in real-time visibility technology directly translating into a superior and more transparent customer experience for e-commerce and retail partners?

10.   Our topic is strategic resilience through intelligent automation what is your advise for warehousing and supply chain leaders in 2026?

In 2025, AI and automation are reshaping Asia’s cybersecurity landscape, empowering both defenders and adversaries. CISOs face intelligent, self-evolving threats—from AI-generated deepfakes to autonomous malware—exploiting the region’s rapid digitalisation and IT/OT convergence. 

While AI-driven SOAR and predictive analytics enhance response, over-reliance risks blind spots, especially with regionally biased data. Regulatory shifts in Japan, Singapore, India and beyond demand accountability in AI use, placing CISOs at the nexus of compliance and innovation. 

The rise of cross-border, AI-powered attacks underscores the need for resilient, adaptive security strategies. CISOs must balance automation with human oversight, secure generative AI platforms, and strengthen supply chain defences. 

Success hinges on anticipating threats, ensuring ethical AI deployment, and upskilling teams to operate effectively in an era of intelligent cyber conflict. The challenge is not just technical—but strategic, regional, and human.

In this PodChats for FutureCISO, Kylie Watson, head of security at DXC Technology, shares her views on AI, automation and the next generation of threats.

1.       Our topic is AI, automation and the next generation of threats. Please describe for us the relationship between all three as viewed from the perspective of a security professional.

2.       How can CISOs ensure the integrity and security of third-party AI models integrated into their core business systems?

3.       In your view, are incident response playbooks used by enterprises in Asia resilient enough to handle AI-powered, self-evolving malware?

4.       What safeguards are in place to detect and prevent deepfake-driven social engineering attacks targeting regional executives?

5.       How can enterprises maintain compliance with emerging AI governance regulations across multiple Asian jurisdictions?

6.       To what extent are organisations auditing training data for bias, leakage, or adversarial manipulation in our automated systems?

7.       Can current detection tools distinguish between legitimate automation and malicious AI-driven lateral movement?

8.       How are enterprises preparing for supply chain attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in open-source AI frameworks?

9.       Are security teams equipped with the skills to monitor, interpret, and challenge AI-driven security decisions?

10.   How can enterprises build adaptive, intelligence-led defences that evolve in tandem with next-generation threats? What is the role of the CISO here?

11.   Coming into 2026, how should CISOs and the security team prepare for the further deepening of the integration of AI into the organisational workflow?

While traditional automation and GenAI are making inroads in 2025, Southeast Asian CFOs face persistent efficiency challenges demanding more sophisticated solutions. 

Agentic AI emerges as a promising, albeit complex, answer by enabling autonomous execution of intricate finance workflows.

Its potential lies not just in incremental efficiency gains, but in fundamentally reshaping the finance function's operating model towards greater speed, accuracy, and strategic focus. Success hinges on overcoming significant data, governance, and talent challenges.

In this PodChats for FutureCFO, Nikhil Parambath, Regional Vice President, Asia, BlackLine, offers his thoughts and some suggestions for senior finance leaders looking to step out of the shadows of AI and into the real-world possibilities of Agentic AI as applied within the finance function.

Nikhil, welcome to PodChats for FutureCFO

1.       Which specific finance processes (e.g., closing, reconciliation, reporting, compliance) still represent the biggest bottlenecks to efficiency and strategic agility within the finance function in Asia in 2025?

2.       Where have traditional automation tools (like RPA) fallen short in delivering the transformative efficiency gains finance needs, particularly in our complex, diverse SEA operating environments?

3.       From your observation, how would you assess finance leaders in Southeast Asia in terms of their understanding of AI, Generative AI and Agentic AI (framed in the context of 2025)?

4.       For SEA finance leaders prioritising efficiency in 2026, what are the 1-2 most compelling, near-term practical applications of Agentic AI within core finance operations (e.g., dynamic forecasting, intelligent reconciliation, autonomous fraud detection)?

5.       What foundational data governance and integration challenges must SEA finance functions urgently address now to be ready to leverage this technology effectively in 2026?

6.       As AI agents potentially execute multi-step processes autonomously, how should finance leaders rethink internal controls, audit trails, and human oversight mechanisms to ensure accuracy, compliance, and ethical operation?

7.       How can Agentic AI agents be practically integrated with existing ERP systems, legacy platforms, and other best-of-breed finance applications common across SEA businesses without creating untenable complexity or risks?

8.       If Agentic AI takes over complex operational execution, how must the skillset and role of the finance professional evolve in 2026? What does "strategic business partnering" look like in this context, and how do we upskill our SEA teams?

9.       Traditional cost savings aside, what new metrics should CFOs use to evaluate the true efficiency and strategic value delivered by Agentic AI implementations within the finance function in 2026 (e.g., speed to insight, reduction in manual intervention points, improved forecast accuracy)?

10.   Finally, any recommendations for how should SEA finance leaders strike the optimal balance for 2026 and beyond?

2025 has seen deepfake technology become alarmingly accessible and sophisticated, fuelling a surge in high-impact incidents that erode confidence in institutions, media, and digital interactions. 

The proliferation of AI-powered deepfakes represents an existential threat to digital trust across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. 

Singapore's leadership in countermeasures, including watermarking and advanced authentication, is crucial, yet recent CSA survey data reveals a stark reality: 75% of Singaporeans cannot reliably identify deepfakes, despite 78% believing they can. This confidence gap underscores the urgent need for robust digital identity verification and advanced IAM strategies.

In this PodChats for FutureCISO, Jasie Fon, regional vice president for Asia at Ping Identity, covers some of the key issues, challenges and opportunities CISOs will find important in 2026.

1.       How severe is deepfake as a threat to businesses, governments and individuals in Asia in 2025?

a.       Should AI take credit for the rise of deepfakes in the region?

2.       How has AI impacted the cybersecurity function at organisations?

3.       In your view, is the (identity and access management) IAM roadmap of most organisations in Asia sufficiently aggressive in deploying phishing-resistant (FIDO2/Passkeys) and continuous authentication to mitigate deepfake-enabled account takeover? (DCI?)_

4.       In your view, do current incident response plan explicitly include procedures for dealing with deepfake-based fraud, extortion, or reputational attacks?

5.       With 2026 coming, does the rise in deepfake threat require CISOs to revise their cybersecurity strategy?

a.       Will this necessitate revising the cybersecurity budget priority and allocation?

6.       How will emerging regulations across ASEAN and Hong Kong specifically mandate deepfake detection and mitigation for customer interactions and internal communications?

7.       How can CISOs, CIOs and CFO effectively measure the ROI and efficacy of their deepfake detection investments across communication channels?

8.       What is your expectation around cybersecurity in 2026? Any recommendations for CISOs and CIOs in the coming year?

Across APJ boardrooms, the initial excitement around generative AI has hardened into a pressing demand: “Show me the real impact.”

Experiments are done, budgets are spent. Now, the C-suite wants tangible results from their AI investments. 

The answer emerging isn't just smarter automation; it's a leap towards autonomy. 

Welcome to the era of Agentic AI. 

To be clear, these aren’t your standard run of the mill tools; they are intelligent, independent agents capable of perceiving complex situations, reasoning through options, and taking decisive action – often without human intervention (but with the option for humans to intervene just in case). 

Agentic AI free your staff from repetitive tasks, can adapt dynamically, and orchestrate decisions at unprecedented speed and scale. 

For the fast-moving, diverse, and efficiency-critical markets of APJ, Agentic AI has shifted from a 'nice-to-have' novelty to a competitive imperative. 

This is the move From Automation to Autonomy, fundamentally redefining how enterprises make decisions."

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, we are joined by Grant Case, chief data officer at Dataiku, for his take on how organisations can use agentic AI to redefine how they make business decisions.

1. What exactly is Agentic AI, and why should APJ enterprises be prioritizing it right now, beyond the initial generative AI hype?"

2. What specific market pressures and business opportunities in APJ are making the adoption of Agentic AI so critical at this moment?"

3. CXOs need clear business value. Beyond efficiency gains, how does Agentic AI unlock innovation and ensure alignment with measurable ROI for executives?

4. Can you share concrete examples of APJ enterprises leveraging Agentic AI today? What specific competitive advantages are they realizing?

5. Diving into the tech: How does Dataiku's Universal AI Platform specifically enable the development and orchestration of these autonomous agents?

6. Autonomy raises concerns. How does Dataiku ensure essential governance, maintain human control, and enable seamless integration of Agentic AI within complex existing enterprise environments?

7. For a CIO looking to embrace this, what does a practical roadmap look like – from establishing the vision to achieving enterprise-wide scale with Agentic AI?

8. What's your advice on starting points? How can organizations begin small with Agentic AI, prove concrete ROI quickly, and then expand capabilities safely and effectively?

9. You talked about the 'Do It For Me' economy. How will Agentic AI evolve over the next 2-3 years to fulfill this expectation within APJ enterprises?

10. What is your advice for C-suites in 2026?

Data centre COOs in Southeast Asia face a dual challenge in 2026: managing rapid AI-driven growth while ensuring sustainability and regulatory compliance. 

Key challenges include strained local grids unable to meet intense power demands from densified AI workloads, increasing public opposition due to environmental concerns, and complex, uneven regional regulations. 

COOs must navigate costly infrastructure upgrades, such as adopting medium-voltage power distribution and integrating innovative power architectures like solid-state transformers to improve efficiency and reduce losses.

The good news is, COOs who balance technological innovation with stakeholder collaboration will transform their operations, achieve aligned sustainability objectives while supporting the digital economy’s growth in an increasingly regulated environment.

In this PodChats for FutureCOO, Daniel Pointon, group CTO for STT GDC, shares his perspective on How to Achieve Data Centre Sustainability and Regulatory Alignment in 2026 from the perspective of the COO.

1.       Perhaps to start off, give us a short brief of the business of STT GDC.

2.       In 2025, give us a brief around the state of DC operations in Southeast Asia? (13 Gigawatts)

3.       How will AI workload growth influence energy consumption and infrastructure needs?

4.       How are data centre operations taking national sustainability initiatives? 

5.       How do you see Asia regional regulations on carbon emissions impacting data centre operations?

6.       What new technologies can improve both sustainability and compliance affordably?

7.       For 2026, any advice for how COOs can integrate sustainability goals with business growth targets effectively?

8.       Identify 3 best practices for engaging stakeholders to secure public and regulatory support?

In 2026, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong stand at a pivotal moment in the integration of agentic AI, a technology that empowers machines to make autonomous decisions. 

While organisations can harness agentic AI to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences, they also face significant challenges, including ethical concerns and workforce displacement. 

Leaders are racing ahead to adopt these innovations, seeking competitive advantages that promise to reshape industries. As they navigate this tipping point, the balance between opportunity and risk becomes crucial, defining the future landscape of work in the region.

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, Adhil Badat, managing director for Asia Pacific and Japan at Rackspace Technology, shares his perspective on how organisations are pushing forward agentic AI adoption in the quest to accelerate transformation and innovation.

1.       How different is agentic AI from traditional AI?

2.       What is the connection between robotic process automation (RPA) to agentic AI? 

3.       What preparations are necessary for adopting agentic AI?  

4.       What competitive advantages do AI leaders currently enjoy? 

5.       Referring to the Rackspace report, The AI Acceleration Gap: Why Some Enterprises Are Surging Ahead, How will the 250% surge in AI investments affect scalability? 

6.       In 2025, CFOs we spoke to are demanding greater transparency and accountability when it comes to technology investments. What strategies are AI leaders using to maximise RoAI (return on AI investments)? 

7.       Speaking of use cases, in your experience, what are the most impactful real-world applications of agentic AI? 

8.       We’ve heard of AI hallucinations. How about with agentic AI. Is agentic AI also susceptible to hallucinations. And while are on the topic, how can organisations address ethical concerns surrounding agentic AI? 

9.       Generative AI gave rise to a new skills requirement: prompt engineering. What about for agentic AI? What skills will the workforce need when they use agentic AI? 

10.   I mentioned earlier CFOs demanding proof their investments are delivering the promised ROI. How should leaders measure the success of agentic AI initiatives? 

11.   It can be argued that in Asia, Singapore led the way with regards to provide guardrails and frameworks with AI use. Specific to agentic AI use, what regulatory considerations must organisations keep in mind, and how to do so for those that operate in multiple markets?

a.       What about Australia (in terms of regulations)?

12.   Last question, what will Agentic AI evolve into in 2026? How should CIOs plan their AI strategy to tap this next evolution of Agentic AI? 

13.   In my experience, when it comes to technology, the most successful organisations rarely go it alone. For those seeking to maximise the return on their Agentic AI investments, who do they partner with internally and externally?

This 2026, agentic transformation is set to revolutionize Asia's boardrooms, shifting the focus from traditional digital automation to autonomous AI agents capable of decision-making and task execution with minimal human input. 

This transition promises unparalleled agility and efficiency, empowering organizations to enhance productivity while alleviating mundane tasks. 

But not everything is a walk in the park. Given Asia's fragmented digital ecosystems, the rise of agentic AI underscores the urgent need for robust data management, integrated connectivity, and strong governance frameworks to maximize AI's potential – safely. 

Visionary leaders view this transformation not merely as a tech upgrade but as a strategic overhaul, necessitating new leadership styles, accountability, and trust-building. 

Successfully embracing this shift will enable Asian enterprises to compete on a global scale, accelerating innovation, optimizing workflows, and augmenting human creativity with AI-driven “digital employees,” – all while ensuring compliance, transparency, and security in an increasingly complex environment.

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, David Irecki, CTO for APJ at Boomi, discusses how agentic transformation will reshape not just the boardroom but the rest of leadership.

1.       What distinguishes agentic transformation from traditional digital automation and why does it matter?

2.       In this agentic transformation paradigm, what is the role of agentic AI and to what extent is it critical to achieving agentic transformation? Why can’t this be done in the traditional approach of digital transformation?

3.       What comprises agentic transformation?

4.       Who should lead an agentic transformation initiative? What experiences, qualifications and expertise must this person have?

5.       What new leadership roles and cultural shifts are necessary to drive agentic transformation?

6.       What practical metrics should be used to guide an agentic transformation initiative?

7.       Coming into 2026, what is your advise for the board, the C-suite and functional leaders as they try to create, nurture an agentic strategy that transforms the enterprise from top to bottom?

The global finance function is undergoing profound transformation, driven by technology (AI, automation, blockchain), evolving regulations (ESG, cryptocurrency, data privacy), and heightened demands for strategic insight. In this dynamic landscape, professional certifications and continuous education are no longer merely advantageous; they are fundamental to relevance, competence, and career progression.

In this PodChats for FutureCFO, we are joined by Guru Balasubramaniam, chairman, CIMA Hong Kong SAR Area Committee to share with us his observations and perspective on the finance profession in Hong Kong.

1.       With AI automating core tasks (reconciliation, reporting), which advanced technical skills (data science, predictive analytics, blockchain auditing) will become essential for accountants to remain indispensable in 2025/2026? 

2.       How can professionals effectively navigate the cost barrier of prestigious certifications (CIMA, ACCA, CPA) while managing living expenses in high-growth but sometimes lower-wage Asian economies? 

3.       What innovative learning formats (micro-credentials, AI-powered personalised learning, virtual reality simulations) will best address the severe time constraints faced by working professionals across Asia? 

4.       Beyond technical skills, which critical 'soft' skills (strategic communication, ethical leadership in complex environments, cross-cultural collaboration) will be paramount for finance leaders in Asia's diverse markets? 

5.       How can professional bodies and employers better collaborate to make continuous learning genuinely integrated, affordable, and recognised within career progression paths? 

6.       With ESG reporting becoming mandatory in more Asian jurisdictions, how can accountants swiftly gain the necessary expertise in sustainability accounting frameworks and assurance? 

7.       What strategies are most effective for maintaining the relevance and portability of my existing qualifications amidst rapid technological and regulatory change across different Asian markets? 

8.       How will the rise of alternative credentials (digital badges, specialised nano-degrees) complement or challenge traditional accountancy certifications? 

9.       What ethical considerations and new risk management competencies are emerging due to increased data usage, AI in finance, and cybersecurity threats specific to the Asian operational context? (Future Focus: Ethics & Risk)

10.   What is your advise for finance professionals in the AI digital era?

11.   How should a finance professional approach the fear of losing relevance with AI? (rewrite)

In 2026, Asia's digital transformation is not just a trend—it's a thrilling opportunity for CFOs ready to lead their organizations into the future! As the region rises as a global commerce powerhouse, with Singapore paving the way, CFOs face the challenge of navigating geopolitical uncertainties while harnessing groundbreaking innovations like AI-powered automation and stablecoin adoption.

Imagine streamlining cross-border transactions and slashing operational costs, with AI-enhanced payment systems boosting conversion rates by an impressive 17.8%! By leveraging regulatory harmonization across APAC markets and tapping into projected cross-border revenue growth exceeding 30%, CFOs can supercharge their strategic expansion efforts.

The mantra for CFOs and other leaders in Asia may as well be: embrace the change, lead through volatility, and seize the emerging opportunities that will define tomorrow’s economy. 

To tell us more about how we can capture these opportunities, FutureCFO is pleased have as a special guest. Ms. Sarita Singh, Regional Head & Managing Director, Southeast Asia, India, Greater China, Stripe, in uncovering just how finance and business leaders in the region can, not just harness, but drive this future.

1.       We are going to be talking about one of a CFO’s most evolved responsibility – finance management. So our audience will understand your responses, tell us what is the business of stripe?

2.       Given this background of stripe as a global finance infrastructure, how has the landscape of commerce changed for CFOs in Asia since 2024?

3.       What is your view on stablecoin adoption in Asia? 

4.       Given the evolving state of regulations around AI, stablecoins, data privacy and security, how can businesses ensure compliance while capitalising on innovation? 

5.       With persistent volatility and uncertainty as the new normal, what financial infrastructure changes should CFOs prioritise to support cross-border expansion while maintaining cost efficiency and regulatory compliance?

6.       ow does Stripe help CFOs achieve their objectives?

7.       Given your understanding of the financial infrastructure landscape and the challenges businesses will face in the coming year, any advice for our intrepid finance leaders?

8.       On a more personal note, what attracted you to join Stripe?

9.       What can CFOs and businesses look forward to at the coming Stripe Tour Singapore this 20 August 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre?

10.   And for you, what we excites as a delegate to the event?

Click here for more on the Stripe Tour Singapore 2025 event.

A unified AI vision serves as the North Star for enterprise-wide AI adoption, ensuring all departments work toward common strategic objectives. Without this alignment, organizations risk fragmented investments, duplicated efforts, and missed opportunities for transformation. A cohesive vision enables CIOs to prioritize initiatives that deliver measurable business value, while fostering cross-functional collaboration between IT, business units, and leadership. It also facilitates better resource allocation, accelerates time-to-value, and builds organizational consensus around AI's role in driving competitive advantage and operational excellence.
 In this PodChats for FutureCIO, C K Tan, APJ Innovation Officer at ServiceNow, shares his perspective on the critical need for a unified AI vision.

1.       What does a "unified AI vision" mean in practice, and why is it critical for CIOs to champion this now? [why AI maturity dipped? – get copy of report]

2.       How can organisations in Asia align AI investments with core business strategy and measurable KPIs to demonstrate clear ROI?

3.       What proven metrics and maturity models can leaders use to track progress toward enterprise-wide AI adoption and competitive advantage?

4.       How should the CIO and CFO jointly measure, report, and justify the business value of AI investments to stakeholders?

5.       How can CIOs foster cross-functional collaboration to break down silos and prevent AI solution sprawl?

6.       What governance frameworks are currently in place to manage AI risks, ensure accountability, and maintain regulatory compliance? What gaps remain, especially in the APJ region?

7.       AI adoption brings cultural and operational disruption. What change management strategies should organisations deploy to build workforce trust and accelerate adoption?

8.       AI risks exacerbating technical debt if not integrated thoughtfully. Based on early 2025 lessons, how can CIOs embed AI into legacy workflows without creating long-term liabilities?

9.       How should CIOs articulate the long-term AI tech debt strategy—and its financial implications—to the CFO and Board?

10.   Into 2026, what is your advice for CIOs and other technology leaders as they build and sustain a unified AI vision across their organisations?

Gartner predicts that by 2026, developers outside formal IT departments will account for at least 80% of the user base for low-code development tools.

While citizen developers boost agility, decentralised creation brings new risks in the form of shadow IT, fragmented systems, data silo sprawl and data exposure, and compliance gaps.

But with proper leadership, LCNC can empower audit and other teams to innovate quickly while staying aligned with enterprise goals.

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, Leonard Tan, regional director for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Greater China at OutSystems shares his observations and perspective on the essentials for LCNC audit workflow builders.

Leonard, welcome to PodChats for FutureCIO.

1.       Briefly give us a state of the low-code/no-code (LCNC) adoption in Asia in 2025. 

2.       What are LCNC Audit Workflow Builders? What are the strategic objectives for adopting these? 

3.       What governance model and policies must be enforced to effectively manage decentralised citizen development of audit workflows? 

4.       How do these LCNC platforms ensure compliance with diverse regional data privacy regulations and regulatory frameworks across Asia? 

5.       How do organisations maintain an up-to-date inventory and ensure consistent oversight of all LCNC audit workflows developed centrally and departmentally? Who should be in-charge of this?

6.       List one proven way LCNC audit tools are adequately integrated with core enterprise systems (ERP, GRC, data lakes) for seamless data sharing, reporting, and end-to-end auditability of critical processes? 

7.       What specific training, support frameworks, and guardrails must be provided to non-IT users to empower them to build compliant and effective audit workflows? 

8.       How can leaders regularly assess and mitigate risks (including auditing the audit workflows themselves for integrity and accuracy) stemming from rapid, decentralised development, and ensure automated compliance reporting? Who should be leading/doing this?

9.       Closing off our PodChats, what key metrics and KPIs will organisations use to track/measure the effectiveness, efficiency, compliance, and overall success of their LCNC audit workflow initiatives? 

Imagine, it is 2026, a semiconductor plant in Penang, Malaysia is running at peak efficiency—not because of more workers, but because of agentic AI. Autonomous digital agents, each with goals, context, and decision rights, now orchestrate production lines, dynamically rerouting workflows when a machine falters or a shipment delays. These aren’t rule-based bots—they reason, collaborate, and learn. In Vietnam, agentic AI forecasts monsoon-driven port congestion weeks in advance, renegotiating logistics routes with shipping partners via API—without human intervention (but with human oversight). Across ASEAN, supply chains are no longer reactive; they’re anticipatory.

For COOs, this is transformative. Agentic AI slashes unplanned downtime by up to 50%, optimizes inventory in real time, and ensures compliance across fragmented regional regulations. Imagine AI agents acting as autonomous supply chain managers—balancing cost, carbon, and speed across Thailand, Indonesia, and India. 

The future isn’t just automation—it’s intelligent agency. Leading manufacturers are already piloting multi-agent systems that simulate, decide, and act. The question is no longer if you adopt agentic AI—but how fast you can scale it. The next competitive edge is self-driving operations.

Joining us on PodChats for FutureCOO is Tony Tay, founder and CEO, AgileAlgo

1.       Give us a brief about AgileAlgo.

2.       To what extent is agentic AI a good fit for process operations?

3.       Which functions or workflows are the biggest candidates for autonomous agent-driven transformation?

4.       What new skills or roles should we develop among our workforce to maximize human-AI collaboration?

5.       What measurable ROI have early adopters in Asia achieved after implementing agentic automation?

6.       What human oversight is necessary to maintain trust and accountability in automated decisions?

7.       Gartner predicts that by 2027 40% of organisations will Agentic AI projects will fail. Other analysts estimate that up to 70% of current systems are hybrid and may be tied to legacy system. How do we ensure agentic AI solutions integrate smoothly with existing IT and business systems?

8.       With technology refresh occurring faster than in the past, how do you see agentic AI reshape core operational processes over the next 12–24 months?

9.   What is your advice for COOs and other functional leaders, perhaps working closely with the CIO and IT teams, to optimise and improve their use of agentic AI technologies?

10.   As for CFOs, how should they approach the adoption of agentic AI?

Artificial intelligence may be the topic that is on the thoughts of leadership in 2024, Agentic AI is quickly becoming the new watercooler discussions among users of the technology looking to answer the question – how do I marry automation and AI so that it benefits “my way of work”?

Agentic AI represents the next frontier in enterprise automation and decision-making. For the CIO, it presents both an opportunity and a challenge: to harness autonomous systems that can dramatically enhance productivity and agility while managing complexity, risk, and ethical considerations.

Getting started requires a strategic mindset, strong cross-functional collaboration, and a willingness to experiment and iterate.

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, we are joined by Matthew Tan, principal solution engineer at UiPath, Southeast Asia, to get his perspective on getting started and operationalizing agentic AI.

1.       What are the core differences between AI-powered process automation and traditional RPA, and why does it matter for an organisation’s digital transformation strategy?

2.       In which business units or industry-specific workflows do you anticipate the greatest value from AI agents as applied in automation workflow?

3.       What approach can CIOs use to identify and prioritise high-impact automation opportunities within their organisation? Is this decision-making process a unilateral one exclusively decided by the CIO?

4.       How can the CIO, and whoever he or she is working with, ensure successful pilot implementation before scaling AI automation enterprise-wide?

5.       What steps can the CIO, and partners, use to ensure seamless integration between AI agents and legacy as well as cloud systems?

6.       What governance structures, policies, and controls are essential to build trust and ensure regulatory compliance when it comes to automation using AI agents?

7.       What internal skills and change management initiatives are needed to support agentic process automation (APA) adoption, particularly our use of AI agents?

8.       How do you plan to measure, benchmark, and improve the ROI of AI agents in automation initiatives?

9.       We are midway into 2025, 2026 is almost just around the corner. Any recommendations for CIOs and other leaders as they look to further invest in their use of AI agents?

In 2025, Asia’s cybersecurity landscape is shaped by rapid digitalisation, AI adoption, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Regional authorities, such as Singapore’s MAS and South Korea’s National AI Committee, are intensifying enforcement and introducing robust regulations for data privacy, AI governance, and cyber risk management. 

Businesses face mounting threats from ransomware, advanced persistent threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities, driving demand for Cybersecurity-as-a-Service and managed SOCs. Industry reports highlight a widening gap in cyber resilience and stress the need for urgent action to address cyber inequity and enhance recovery capabilities.

Sean Duca, Customer Experience Chief Technology Officer for Cisco in the APJC regions shares his perspective on the following questions.

1.       How will evolving AI, cloud security, and data privacy regulations across Asia-Pacific affect CISO’s multi-cloud governance and compliance frameworks?

2.       What strategies can CISOs/organisations adopt to defend against increasingly sophisticated ransomware, supply chain attacks, and network-based intrusions?

3.       How do CISOs/CIOs secure hybrid and multi-cloud environments effectively, leveraging generative AI tools to automate identity and access management while reducing manual overhead?

4.       Some say quantum computing is still years away. That said, people are talking about post-quantum cryptography today. Can you share any best practice for implementing quantum-resistant encryption and network security protocols to mitigate emerging quantum computing threats?

5.       How can CISOs ensure robust security and compliance for AI-powered cloud applications and edge computing infrastructure under diverse data sovereignty laws? How should the CISO work with the CIO and the risk/compliance officers of the organization?

6.       Recapping what we’ve covered so far: our topic is Developing a Resilient Cybersecurity Roadmap. Can you offer some recommendations for CISOs and CIOs in developing their resilient cybersecurity roadmap?

FutureCIO discussions with CIOs and business leaders in Asia reveal key trends such as strategies revolving around increased AI integration, hybrid cloud adoption for flexibility and compliance, and the growth of edge computing for real-time data processing. 

Organizations are also prioritizing sustainability and security, with a focus on green cloud solutions and robust compliance frameworks. 

Into 2026, FutureCIO polls suggest that the convergence of AI and hybrid cloud will further accelerate digital transformation and innovation across various industries. Among the key trends we anticipate to arise from these include the strategic adoption of AI-powered hybrid cloud solutions, the rise of AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS), and the increasing use of cloud-native applications and SaaS-based intelligent solutions. 

In this PodChats for FutureCIO, Sean Flanagan, IBM vice president for IBM Power and IBM Cloud Technical Sales shares his observations of the challenges businesses around the world face as they modernise their operations, supported by hybrid cloud infrastructure that is expected to be secure and dynamically adaptive to evolving demands and regulation.

1.       What are the key considerations for workload placement between on-premises data centres and hybrid cloud environments?

2.       Business leaders are demanding CIOs modernise current infrastructure to take advantage of the promise of AI. At the same time CIOs are asked to make sure new IT strategies support sustainability initiatives. How can we balance AI infrastructure growth with sustainability and energy efficiency goals?

3.       Legacy applications continue to be at the core of many governments and businesses in Asia. IDC found that over 60% of applications in use today are legacy systems. What strategies can we adopt to modernise legacy applications and maximise developer productivity using AI-driven tools?

4.       Are AI-powered tools better than the best experienced technology experts?

5.       CFOs are increasingly focused on cost optimization within their cloud environments, calling for strategies to manage and reduce cloud spending effectively.  How do flexible consumption models, such as IBM Power Virtual Server, support business agility and cost control?

6.       IDC estimates that over 77% of organisations in Asia Pacific operate in a multicloud or hybrid cloud environment. This trend will continue as wholesale transformation and modernisation become essential to evolving business models. Disruptions, both planned and unplanned are inevitable. How can business maximise availability of their IT services?

7.       Given all the innovations to date, including the new IBM Power 11, what advise can you offer CIOs and business leaders in Asia as they look to better optimise their workloads regardless of where the applications are running?   

In 2025, the business landscape in Malaysia, Singapore, and much of ASEAN is being reshaped by the rapid evolution of technology, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and advanced analytics. 

Drawing on valuable lessons learned, organizations are increasingly adopting a hybrid cloud by design approach. This strategy offers flexibility and scalability while effectively addressing the complex regulatory environments surrounding data protection, ethical technology use, and cybersecurity. 

By leveraging public cloud resources for scalability and securing sensitive data in private environments, businesses can strike a crucial balance between innovation and compliance—an essential strategy for navigating the challenges of data sovereignty.

Recently, FutureCISO spoke with Mark Figley, Vice President of Power Development at IBM, to explore how leaders in Singapore and Malaysia can strategically position their organizations to thrive in this dynamic environment.

1.       Why is it critical for Singaporean and Malaysian business and technology leaders to rethink their technology strategies in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape?

2.       How do IBM clients address evolving business challenges while also addressing requirements around regulatory compliance, data protection, and data sovereignty?

3.       In what ways does IBM (Power Systems) accelerate AI workloads and support large-scale, real-time data processing for enterprises in Asia?

4.       How can hybrid cloud architectures leveraging IBM (Power Systems) ensure zero unplanned downtime and continuous business operations?

5.       Speaking of security, what unique security features does IBM (Power Systems) offer to safeguard sensitive AI workloads across hybrid cloud environments?

6.       CIOs tell us that their technology stack today is complex because of the variety of technologies they have in place – applications, hardware, operating environments, management tools, the list goes on. To close our discussion, how can Singaporean and Malaysian organizations leverage IBM Power’s unified hybrid cloud management platforms to simplify operations, close the cloud skills gap, and accelerate AI-driven innovation?