AI adoption among employer and business member organizations in Asia and the Pacific

High demand for AI support signals a critical role for employer and business membership organizations in addressing employer constraints to adoption

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and reshaping workforce dynamics across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. This new research brief explores how Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) are positioned to support this transformation.

Drawing on insights from EBMOs in nine partner countries from the Managing a decent future of work together in Asia-Pacific ("Future of Work: APAC") project funded by the EU, the brief recognizes EBMOs strategic role as enablers of AI adoption—building institutional capacity, shaping national AI policy, and supporting enterprise transformation to ensure that AI integration drives quality job creation and sustainable, inclusive economic growth.

The findings reveal a striking gap between demand and readiness. While 87 per cent of EBMOs report strong demand from member companies for support on AI, only 13 per cent of companies are considered to have widespread adoption while less than half of EBMO have themselves begin to experiment or adopt AI technologies in their own operations.

Rather than signalling weak momentum, this disconnect points to an imminent surge in investment - creating a window of early mover advantage for EBMOs that act now to build capacity, pilot services, and scale support. EBMOs that delay may struggle to respond as demand rapidly intensifies.

As AI-driven disruption accelerates and its impacts remain uncertain, the ability of institutions and social partners to respond effectively will be critical. Strengthening their capacity to anticipate change, support employers, and harness new opportunities will be central to shaping a decent and inclusive future of work.