Summary
Standard Chartered's chief ASEAN economist, Edward Lee, states that Southeast Asia risks missing the AI boom due to not moving up the value chain, despite its presence in the AI supply chain. He emphasizes the need for investment in AI-related R&D and cautions about the impact of AI on industries like the Philippines' BPO sector. Separately, Standard Chartered has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 due to conflict-induced downgrades in the Middle East, with ongoing concerns about supply chain disruptions.
