Google report: AI use pushes Southeast Asia's digital economy to $368 billion in 2026

Google, Temasek and Bain & Company say their 11th annual e-Conomy SEA report projects Southeast Asia's digital economy will grow 17% this year to $368 billion in gross merchandise value. The report says 243 million people in the region, or 58% of the working population, now use generative AI, and that the digital economy is on track to pass $1 trillion by 2035. The report also says the region needs about three times more data center capacity over the next five years.