A new study by digital travel and technology platform Agoda reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) has become deeply embedded in the workflows of software developers across Southeast Asia and India, though its application remains in a maturing phase. Developers are leveraging AI as a practical tool to boost productivity while maintaining quality, but organizations still face the challenge of building structured frameworks and policies to guide responsible AI use.
Drawing insights from over 600 developers across seven key markets — Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and India — and featuring input from leading tech players such as Carousell, MoMo, Omise, and SCB 10X, the report outlines three key findings on the evolution of AI in the region.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping how developers across Southeast Asia and India build, learn, and collaborate,” said Idan Zalzberg, Chief Technology Officer, Agoda.
AI Is Mainstream — But Not Yet Mature
According to the report, 95% of developers use AI weekly, with 56% keeping an AI assistant open throughout their workflow. Most use AI to accelerate coding and automate tasks, saving an average of four to six hours per week. However, only 22% use AI to tackle unfamiliar problems, and just 43% believe it can match the capability of a mid-level engineer.
“Developers are approaching AI with pragmatism — accelerating work, maintaining quality, and experimenting thoughtfully rather than replacing skill or judgment,” Zalzberg noted.
Accountability Is Driving Evolution
While 79% cite inconsistent AI output as a key barrier, developers are compensating with strong review and verification practices. Around 70% rework AI-generated code, and 67% review every output before merging. Despite only 25% of teams having formal AI guidelines, most report improved productivity and better code outcomes — proving that human oversight remains central to responsible AI adoption.
India Leads in AI Confidence
Among all markets, India’s developer community shows the strongest confidence in AI’s potential. Over 16% believe AI already performs at a mid-level developer’s capability, while 65% use AI in their daily coding workflows — the highest across the region.
“India’s developers are not just adopting AI; they’re shaping how it’s used,” the study highlights.
“The region’s next frontier lies in turning this widespread adoption into consistent, lasting capability.”
Commissioned by Agoda in partnership with Macramé Consulting, the study underscores Agoda’s commitment to upskilling regional tech talent and fostering innovation across Asia’s digital ecosystem.
“The real opportunity,” Zalzberg concluded, “is in supporting this ground-up maturity with structured practices and responsible experimentation — turning high adoption into sustained excellence.”
