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UK-ASEAN Business Council Roundtable on AI and the Future of Work in Southeast Asia in BMCC Office

Posted by admin1689

The BMCC was pleased to host the UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC) Roundtable on “AI and the Future of Work in Southeast Asia,” a timely discussion examining how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, skills, and employment across the region.

Jointly organised by the UKABC and sponsored by Pearson, the roundtable brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and education experts to explore how collaboration between the public and private sectors can help Southeast Asia’s workforce adapt and thrive in the age of AI.

AI is rapidly transforming economies in ASEAN—enhancing productivity and innovation while redefining traditional job roles. According to the AI Asia Pacific Institute (2025), between 54% and 59% of jobs in ASEAN are highly affected by AI, while surveys indicate that over 80% of workers in Indonesia and the Philippines fear automation-related job losses. With one-third of ASEAN’s population under 35, the region stands at a crossroads between disruption and opportunity.

Speakers highlighted the urgent need to realign education systems with evolving market demands, bridge the skills gap, and promote AI literacy across industries. Initiatives such as Malaysia’s National AI Action Plan 2030 and Singapore’s AI Readiness Framework were cited as key examples of how governments are responding to these shifts.

The roundtable featured insights from notable speakers and representatives including:

  • Lord Ed Vaizey, Chair, UK-ASEAN Business Council

  • Pulkit Abrol, Global Director, APAC, ACCA

  • George Thomson, Public Affairs Manager, Asia Pacific, ACCA

  • Istaq Nadzril Abdul Kader, Public Affairs Manager, Asia Pacific, ACCA

  • Gavin Wilkins, Chief Commercial Officer, Hawksford

  • Winnie Seow Mei, International Markets Lead, Hawksford

  • Nirukt Sapru, Country Chairman, Jardine Matheson Vietnam

  • Derek Murray, Technical Director of Digital, Mott MacDonald Singapore Pte Ltd

  • Dennis Wong, Regional Provost and Group CEO (E & SE Asia), Newcastle University

  • Stephanie Glendinning, Pro Vice Chancellor, Newcastle University

  • Paul Franklin, Regional Lead, Southeast Asia, Pearson

  • Craig McFarlane, Vice President Asia-Pacific Pearson

  • Duncan Buchanan, Group Director, Prudential

  • Suwei Jiang, Partner, PwC UK

  • Rino Donosepoetro, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered

  • Ben Raby, COO, UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC)

  • Clarissa Winata, Programmes and Membership Manager, UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC)

  • Allen Lai, Director – ASEAN, UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC)

Together, participants underscored that preparing Southeast Asia’s workforce for the AI-driven future requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach—bridging education, technology, and industry to ensure growth that is both inclusive and sustainable.

This session forms part of the UKABC’s broader programme around the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2025, proudly sponsored by BMCC member, Prudential.