Data Trends in Southeast Asia: 2024 Insights and Takeaways

This report is based on a survey of the region’s leading data professionals and provides a snapshot at the key trends with practical takeaways.?

Subsequent editions of Data Trends series will offer concise insights and analyses on each area, accompanied by practical takeaways tailored for operational and C-level leaders. If you wish to receive these, please follow.

Top 5 Trends and Takeaways

1. AI and ML as Key Skills

Insight: The # 1 in demand skill in 2024 is 
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.        

• Takeaway: Companies should invest in AI and ML training programs, ensuring their teams are equipped to leverage these technologies effectively. Vocational data management training is essential organisation-wide, not only for data teams; data should be a task for everyone.

2. Data Governance and Compliance on the rise

Insight: Respondents stress the growing importance 
of data governance and legal compliance, as Southeast 
Asian countries increasingly roll out and enforce data laws.        

• Takeaway: Create Data Strategy with a roadmap, strengthen data governance frameworks, upskill organisation, ensure legal compliance to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

3. Budgeting Forecast

Insight: A strong budget sentiment remains in 2024, 
as 62% of data experts anticipate the same or increased 
budgets.        

• Takeaway: Allocate resources strategically towards talent, AI, data quality and robust end-to-end governance frameworks. Consolidate and optimise selectively.

4. Data Quality remains a struggle

Insight: Half of respondents cite data quality or 
unstructured data as their top challenge.        

• Takeaway: Establish a data organization with end-to-end control and incentives for data quality, create a holistic data strategy and roadmap to improve data quality from data producers, invest in tools and processes that manage unstructured data.

5. AI's Transformative Role in Data Management

Insight: The # 1 challenge for data management is AI in 2024.        

• Takeaway: Implement proper AI governance practices. Include AI integration in data management strategy and roadmap.