Jakarta, INTI – In a rapidly changing and increasingly complex business landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key pillar for corporate leaders. The latest IBM Institute for Business Value 2025 CEO Study reveals that Agentic AI, a type of AI capable of initiating actions, planning, and performing tasks independently, is gaining significant traction among global CEOs. This technology is seen as a driver of faster innovation and enhanced operational efficiency across various industries.
Majority of Global CEOs Ready to Implement Agentic AI
The IBM survey shows that 61% of CEOs are actively adopting Agentic AI and are preparing to implement it on a large scale. Furthermore, 85% of CEOs believe AI investments will generate positive returns, particularly in cost-efficiency and operational savings by 2027. In addition, 77% expect AI to to drive business growth and expansion.
Catherine Lian, General Manager of IBM ASEAN, stated that AI has evolved beyond automation tools to become creative partners in the workplace. “This technology is reshaping the way we conduct business operations,” she said during a virtual forum on June 24, 2025.
Southeast Asia Shows Strong Agentic AI Adoption Trends
Southeast Asia is also showing a strong upward trend in Agentic AI adoption. According to the same survey, 57% of CEOs in the region have already adopted AI agents, while 60% of companies are preparing their human resources to adapt to the cultural and operational shifts brought by this technology.
Anup Kumar, Head of Client Engineering at IBM APAC, shared three key priorities identified by CEOs in the region for the coming year:
- Improving predictive accuracy (44%)
- Driving product and service innovation (40%)
Strengthening ecosystems and partnerships (39%)
However, this technological shift does not come without challenges. The most commonly cited barriers include a lack of digital talent (44%), concerns over potential risks (44%), and technological limitations (42%).
Indonesia Accelerates Its Agentic AI Journey
Indonesia is also progressing in its adoption of Agentic AI. The survey found that 63% of CEOs in Indonesia believe competitive advantage depends on leveraging advanced generative AI. Meanwhile, 61% are currently adopting AI agents and preparing for organization-wide deployment.
Nonetheless, similar challenges exist in the country. The key barriers include:
- Lack of AI expertise (57%)
- Concerns over technological risks (44%)
- Inadequate technology infrastructure (50%)
Conclusion
The IBM Institute for Business Value 2025 CEO Study confirms that Agentic AI is no longer merely a supporting technology, but a transformative force in global business strategy. With its ability to operate autonomously and adaptively, Agentic AI is believed to drive efficiency, foster innovation, and create competitive advantages across various sectors. Although challenges such as talent shortages and technological limitations remain, CEOs including those in Indonesia are beginning to take concrete steps toward an AI-driven future. Companies that dare to innovate and invest early are likely to emerge as leaders in the era of digital transformation.
Read More:Google Injects Funding into Interlink Labs to Drive Digital Identity Innovation with Web3 and Vertex AI