A new study by Milieu Insight, surveying 3,000 workers across six Southeast Asian markets—Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—reveals how employees perceive the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). Over-dependence on AI emerged as the top concern across all six markets, cited by 53% of respondents, ahead of privacy issues at 40% and job loss at 34%. While fears of job displacement remain notable, employees are increasingly questioning how AI might influence decision-making, critical thinking, and professional autonomy, highlighting unease over the potential erosion of human judgment and capabilities rather than the risk of outright replacement.
Respondents represented a variety of organisation types, led by private large companies with 200 or more employees, followed by local SMEs and multinational corporations. They also span a diverse range of industries, including engineering, manufacturing, retail, and information technology. Across markets, the concern over AI dependency is highest in Indonesia at 61%, followed by Thailand at 55%, the Philippines at 53%, Vietnam at 50%, and Malaysia and Singapore at 49% each. In contrast, concerns about job loss rank consistently lower, suggesting that workers are more focused on maintaining their independent capabilities than fearing replacement.
Looking ahead, 41% of respondents expect AI to assist them without replacing core tasks, using it to streamline routine work and improve efficiency. Over half (51%) said AI will help them save time on repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value responsibilities. Meanwhile, 26% anticipate significant parts of their roles being automated, requiring adaptation to new methods, while 10% believe their jobs could be entirely replaced and another 10% expect AI to create new opportunities or responsibilities.
Overall sentiment toward AI is largely optimistic. Forty-one percent describe themselves as somewhat optimistic, believing the benefits outweigh the risks, and 13% are very optimistic. Vietnam (66%) and Thailand (58%) record the highest optimism, while Singapore shows the highest combined pessimism at 15%. This optimism across emerging Southeast Asian markets reflects expectations that AI will drive productivity, digital innovation, and new economic opportunities.
Despite strong interest in AI adoption, readiness gaps remain. Data security and privacy concerns are the most cited barrier, followed by lack of technical skills, cost, and employee resistance. Digital infrastructure gaps are more pronounced in Thailand and Indonesia than in Malaysia and Singapore, reflecting varying organisational maturity. Only a small proportion of respondents report that their organisations are fully prepared with strategies, resources, and training, while most describe themselves as only somewhat prepared. Active encouragement from employers to use AI is limited, ranging from 25% in Singapore to 38% in Vietnam.
This gap between enthusiasm for AI and organisational readiness highlights a broader challenge in the region. While businesses recognise AI’s potential, many are still in the early stages of building governance, training, and infrastructure needed to support widespread adoption. Sundip Chahal, Group CEO of Milieu Insight, explained that workers are not just worried about being replaced but are concerned about becoming overly reliant on AI at the expense of judgment, capability, and independent thinking. He emphasised that while the workforce is open to AI, organisations must focus on providing the right training, guardrails, and disciplines to ensure it is used responsibly and effectively.
