AI Emerges as ASEAN Fintech’s Most Scarce Skill

The ADB and GFI report highlights a critical paradox in ASEAN fintech: AI adoption is accelerating, but the region's AI skill base is lagging. Vietnam, for instance, saw 74% of its financial institutions deploy AI by 2025, yet its workforce AI proficiency is rated "basic." This disconnect creates a bottleneck for innovation and operational efficiency, especially in markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, which are actively deploying AI without a commensurate talent pool. Governments are responding, with Vietnam launching a national program to train 10 million workers in basic AI by 2030 and cultivate 1,500 AI experts. Indonesia is focusing on AI literacy and developing national AI strategies. The challenge for these countries will be to scale these initiatives effectively and quickly, ensuring that the training translates into practical application and closes the reported 48% technical skills gap in fintech. The risk is that without rapid upskilling, the region's fintech growth could be hampered by a persistent talent shortage, despite high investment in AI deployment.