With the majority of businesses having moved beyond the experimental phase of AI, we are witnessing an increasing number of organizations realizing the potential of this transformative technology. A recent report from McKinsey Global Survey revealed that 65% of participants indicated their organizations are now regularly utilizing AI—marking a twofold rise in adoption since 2023. However, as more players enter the enterprise AI sector, the challenge becomes one of establishing genuine competitive differentiation, rather than simply keeping pace with existing norms. The future of AI is deeply intertwined with open source principles. As AI evolves from basic automation towards more intricate applications like predictive analytics, content creation, and decision-making, it becomes crucial for businesses across various sectors to stay ahead. While they are at different stages of their AI adoption journey, open source is set to empower enterprises to spearhead a new wave of innovation. Looking ahead, here are three significant trends expected to create substantial impacts for businesses in the APAC region in the coming year.
#1 Uncover the open source benefit in AI
Since the previous year, the volume of open source generative AI projects has increased by 98%, with a substantial portion of these initiatives emerging from India, Japan, and Singapore. This trend underscores the value of collaboration and accessibility in the development of new technologies like AI, and we can anticipate a rise in generative AI activities on a global scale. Open source AI platforms, tools, and models licensed under open source are democratizing innovation, making sure its advantages—such as flexible frameworks and resources—are not limited to a select few. By broadening access to these perks for organizations of various sizes, the competitive landscape becomes more level, allowing even smaller firms to embrace open source and innovate on a worldwide level.
Moreover, open source solutions provide companies with the agility needed to address challenges related to costs, data sovereignty, and skill deficits. With a collaborative open source community, enterprises have the capacity to customize these solutions to fit their unique requirements while maintaining control over sensitive information. Additionally, the collective oversight in open source development ensures that potential vulnerabilities are quickly identified and resolved, thereby enhancing trust in AI-driven results.
#2 Standardize hybrid cloud as your go-to
Open hybrid cloud has transitioned from being an option to becoming standard practice. To succeed in this customer-centric era, businesses in the APAC region must prioritize three key elements: speed, flexibility, and innovation. Streamlining AI integration into everyday operations is essential for realizing these goals. This approach facilitates operational consistency across teams and provides the flexibility to deploy AI workloads wherever needed, enabling companies to remain nimble and responsive. Beyond enhancing system reliability, a strong commitment to data provenance assists organizations in adhering to increasingly stringent privacy laws, such as India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA). By adopting these measures, corporations not only remain compliant but also communicate their dedication to ethical AI practices. The underlying message is evident: transparency is not optional; it’s a fundamental principle of a hybrid cloud model that serves all stakeholders—a future where innovation thrives on trust, integrity, and shared accountability.
ChatGPT has positioned generative AI prominently within the public eye, influencing how companies rethink workflows and enhance efficiencies in uncertain environments. Some businesses may find themselves overly fixated on short-term gains and may scale back their AI-driven innovations too soon. However, to genuinely harness AI’s full capabilities, companies must adopt a long-term perspective. According to the AI Readiness Barometer: AI landscape study conducted by Ecosystm for IBM³, AI maturity was evaluated based on four principal criteria: culture and leadership, skills and workforce, foundational data, and governance frameworks. Although AI has become a priority for the ASEAN enterprises surveyed, there is a notable lack of readiness, particularly in advanced AI and machine learning expertise required to fully leverage its benefits. Only 17% reported having extensive expertise and dedicated data science teams. Most organizations are still trailing in acquiring AI-relevant skills and are not sufficiently prioritizing data governance and compliance, which may expose them to regulatory risks. To achieve AI maturity, companies must pursue a more strategic and measured approach, especially in complex areas where AI can deliver significant value. This entails investing in enterprise data and technology to enhance data readiness and preparing the organization at all levels. Cultivating an innovation-friendly culture, upskilling staff to embrace new technologies, and aligning long-term operations with strategic business objectives are all critical steps.
The future in 2025
As we enter the new year, AI is poised to evolve into a fundamental element of innovation, with deeper integrations of AI and open source steering the trajectory of technology. This will not only increase accessibility to new technologies but also improve the adaptability and efficiency of enterprise solutions across sectors. Central to these developments, data will serve as the backbone for generating meaningful and trustworthy insights. We can expect to see more organizations focus on data provenance, ensuring they possess comprehensive oversight regarding the origins, integrity, and authenticity of their data, thereby fostering greater trust in an increasingly AI-driven environment.
As we move into 2025, these interconnected trends will cultivate a more inclusive AI landscape, paving the way for a future where businesses of all sizes can tap into the full potential of data and technology through open source solutions.
The author is Marshal Correia, Vice President and General Manager, India, South Asia at Red Hat
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and ETCIO does not necessarily endorse them. ETCIO shall not be liable for any harm caused to any individual or organization, directly or indirectly.
