Jakarta, INTI - Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) and the Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation Indonesia (COSTI), together with the ASEAN Secretariat, held the UX Validation Workshop for the ASEAN Technology Management Hub (TMH) on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The workshop aimed to conduct technical testing of the operational prototype (Deliverable 3), which was completed in December 2025, ahead of the platform’s regional rollout.
Assistant Director of the Science and Technology Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, Zurina Moktar, presented data highlighting the scale of innovation-driven economic growth across Southeast Asia.
“This initiative comes at a critical time as ASEAN economies continue to expand their innovation inputs, with regional R&D spending growing by an average of 8.5% per year between 2000 and 2023, reaching nearly US$60 billion,” she said.
However, she pointed out a significant imbalance between the level of investment and the tangible outcomes produced.
Despite substantial funding, structural barriers persist due to fragmented innovation ecosystems. Academic repositories often operate in isolation, private-sector data remains closed, and government policies are frequently disconnected—slowing the commercialization and market adoption of new technologies.
Meanwhile, Khairul Rizal, Director of Research, Technology, and Innovation Measurement and Indicators at BRIN, emphasized that the ASEAN TMH is designed as the third pillar of the region’s innovation infrastructure.
“The first is infrastructure and the second is a talent platform. Infrastructure and talent are essential for a strong regional innovation system. However, it is equally important to ensure that the technologies created truly reach those who can use them. TMH serves as a critical third pillar. It complements our physical laboratories and human resources by providing a regional digital platform designed to identify, validate, and match technology supply with technology demand,” Khairul explained.
AI-Driven Architecture Powers the ASEAN TMH Platform
During the technical deep-dive session, the ASEAN TMH development team leader from Terminal Koding Teknologi, Anti Rismayanti, presented the platform’s architecture, which is built on four integrated layers: the User Layer, Validation Layer, Governance Layer, and Data Layer.
One of the platform’s key technical strengths lies in its use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to power the matchmaking process. The AI algorithms automatically recommend relevant technologies to technology seekers based on the profiles and requirements entered into the system.
“The data layer enables analysis and insights for policymakers. It matches and balances those who have technology with those who are seeking technology, and we also use AI support. So within this platform, we have already implemented AI,” she explained.
Unlike conventional technology directories, TMH applies a multi-tier validation mechanism. Each technology submitted by providers must first undergo a validation process conducted by COSTI in their respective countries before being made publicly accessible. This ensures the credibility and market readiness of the technologies offered across the region.
To address technical language barriers between countries, the platform adopts a standardized Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework, simplified into three main phases: Early Stage (TRL 1–3), Development (TRL 4–6), and Deployment (TRL 7–9).
UX Testing Aligns the Platform with Regional Innovation Needs
The UX validation carried out during the workshop focused on refining the system ahead of its finalization scheduled for late February 2026. Findings from the Jakarta session will be consolidated with similar workshops organized by COSTI Cambodia to ensure the platform effectively accommodates the diverse innovation ecosystems across Southeast Asia.
Through this collaborative process, participants were encouraged to provide open and constructive feedback so that TMH can truly align with user needs — both for technology providers and technology seekers.
With the completion of this validation phase, ASEAN TMH is expected to move toward full regional implementation as a digital infrastructure designed to strengthen innovation ecosystems throughout ASEAN.
Conclusion
The ASEAN Technology Management Hub represents a major step toward building a connected, intelligent, and credible digital infrastructure for regional innovation collaboration. Through AI-powered matchmaking, standardized technology readiness frameworks, and rigorous validation mechanisms, the platform aims to bridge gaps between research institutions, policymakers, and market actors.
With UX testing nearing completion, ASEAN TMH is poised to become a cornerstone of Southeast Asia’s innovation ecosystem, accelerating technology transfer, improving commercialization pathways, and strengthening regional competitiveness in the digital economy.
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