Google is doubling down on its artificial intelligence (AI) efforts across Southeast Asia, with Malaysia among the key beneficiaries of new funding, partnerships and education programmes to drive growth and social impact.
Announced at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), the initiatives aim to boost AI literacy, sustainability and scientific research in the region as economies accelerate their AI adoption.
According to Google’s AI Opportunity in Southeast Asia report, 70% of people in the region use generative AI tools weekly, a trend that could add as much as US$270 billion to the regional economy.
Advancing Science and Health
AI is already transforming research across ASEAN. Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold has become an essential tool for over 85,000 scientists, helping model complex protein structures with unprecedented accuracy.
In Malaysia, researchers at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) are using AlphaFold to study Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacteria behind the deadly disease melioidosis.
“With AlphaFold, we can finally visualise its protein structures and explore how to weaken its defences,” said Dr Lam Su Datt, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at UKM. “It’s a step closer to developing effective treatments.”
Building Sustainable Futures
Google’s DeepMind AnthroKrishi team is also expanding its Agricultural APIs to Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. The technology provides real-time insights on crop type, field size and harvest cycles, helping farmers improve sustainability amid shifting climate conditions.
Meanwhile, Google.org, the company’s philanthropic arm, has provided US$1.5 million to climate analytics non-profit TransitionZero to develop an AI tool for clean energy planning. The project will start with partnerships in Malaysia and Singapore, supporting smarter energy investments.
Upskilling ASEAN’s Workforce
Google’s AI education push is growing rapidly. Its AI Ready ASEAN initiative, in partnership with the ASEAN Foundation, has trained over 800,000 people in essential AI literacy since its launch in 2024. The new AI Class ASEAN platform now serves 14,000 users through self-paced online learning.
In Malaysia, Google’s Gemini Academy has trained nearly 31,000 educators since late 2023. A Google survey found that 75% of participants became more productive after using AI tools, saving an average of three hours a week on grading and lesson planning.
Malaysia at the Heart of the Region’s AI Shift
Farhan S. Qureshi, Country Director, Google Malaysia, said Malaysia’s creative and innovative spirit is driving its AI transformation.
“From educators reimagining classrooms with Gemini Academy to UKM researchers using AlphaFold for medical breakthroughs, Malaysians are showing how AI can create meaningful progress,” he said. “Google remains deeply committed to helping the country and the region harness AI responsibly for economic growth and social good.”
Google said it will continue working with governments and communities across ASEAN to build an AI ecosystem that is innovative, inclusive and responsible.
