Matthew Hardman, the chief technology officer of APAC at Hitachi Vantara, is confident that AI will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of APAC in 2025.
"The region's rapid urbanisation and growing digital economy make it an ideal environment for deploying innovative AI solutions, especially in areas like energy efficiency, hybrid cloud management, and intelligent automation," he said.
AI revolutionising APAC industries
Hardman underscores AI's transformative power in key industries across APAC. Its capabilities have been proven helpful in data centre operations, with AI-powered digital twins optimising energy usage and improving efficiency.
Beyond data centres, AI is revolutionising other industries in APAC, such as energy management, hybrid cloud architectures, and cybersecurity.
"Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the region's economies, are also reaping the benefits of scalable AI solutions. From automating customer service with multilingual small language models (SLMs) to optimising inventory management with predictive analytics, SMEs are leveraging AI to compete at scale," he added.
More than a buzzword
Underscoring AI's value in 2025 and beyond, Hardman believes it is more than hype, saying, "AI isn't just a buzzword anymore—it's a critical driver of sustainability, security, and resilience, helping the region build a future-ready economy."
Looking ahead, Hardman believes that AI will continue to be a transformative force, driving sustainability, security, and growth across Asia Pacific in 2025.
