Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change. Floods, droughts, typhoons and other climate-related disasters have caused significant economic losses and fatalities across many island nations. While the region continues to strengthen its efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation, further focus is needed.

One way to bolster these efforts is through artificial intelligence (AI). Around the world, AI has shown its potential to address climate challenges, including tracking environmental change, managing disaster response, improving weather forecasting and shaping the design and delivery of resilient infrastructure.

To fully harness the power of AI in Southeast Asia, it must be managed responsibly and inclusively. AI readiness varies widely across the region, with two-thirds of the population still lacking internet access. Tailored strategies will be essential to ensure AI is developed, governed and adopted with responsibility, equity and safety at its core so that digital inequalities are not worsened, and no country is left behind.

We partnered with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to produce a report exploring the transformative power of AI in addressing climate challenges across Southeast Asia. Below, we have highlighted some of our key takeaways.

Using AI responsibly

AI is evolving at an extraordinary pace, becoming increasingly influential and autonomous, making it crucial to define what responsible AI looks like for climate action. For AI to be a true force for good and a catalyst for climate solutions, it must be safe, trustworthy and ethical.

Safe AI systems are governed by data protection laws, ensuring they remain secure, robust and reliable, with risks of misuse carefully assessed and managed throughout its lifecycle.

Trustworthy AI systems are transparent and explainable, enabling users to understand and challenge its outcomes.

Ethical AI systems are fair, inclusive and sustainable, aligning with core ethical principles, with these values embedded throughout the system’s lifecycle.

How can AI accelerate climate action in Southeast Asia?

AI for climate action in Southeast Asia is still in its early stages, but several key areas are already showing strong potential, with AI delivering meaningful impact in both adaptation and mitigation efforts across the region.

Flood mitigation: Floods are one of the most frequent natural disasters in the region, disrupting lives and causing major losses each year. Their impacts are made worse by climate change, densely populated cities and socioeconomic vulnerabilities in at-risk areas. To help communities prepare, Google launched a flood forecasting initiative aimed at boosting global readiness. Since 2017, it has developed a real-time alert system through Google Search, Maps, Android notifications and the Flood Hub. Over time, Google has demonstrated how machine learning can enhance flood forecasting, especially in regions with limited data.

Disaster relief: Machine learning is increasingly used in disaster preparedness, especially for weather forecasting and crisis response. AI models can predict floods by analysing complex patterns, helping deliver timely alerts to vulnerable communities. Project NOAH, launched by the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology, is a pioneering initiative to improve disaster preparedness using AI. Focused on climate-related risks such as floods and typhoons, it has since evolved into the UP NOAH Centre at the University of the Philippines, continuing research and outreach on natural hazards, disaster risk reduction and climate change resilience.

Deforestation: Indonesia has lost, or severely degraded, over 70 per cent of its forests in the past 50 years due to agricultural expansion, endangering biodiversity and local livelihoods (source). The FAIR Forward initiative, in partnership with local mapping groups, has worked to identify and protect high-value forests. AI has improved forest classification accuracy, supported climate mitigation and empowered communities to make informed, sustainable land use decisions while avoiding ecologically sensitive areas. The project has ensured that AI is deployed responsibly, aligning with the needs and rights of local communities in Indonesia.

Energy: AI is increasingly recognised for its ability to optimise power grids, reduce inefficiencies and support the integration of decentralised renewable energy sources, helping to shape a more resilient and low carbon energy future. Machine learning is now widely used to forecast energy demand and supply, enhance planning, and monitor the performance of renewable energy systems.

Key actions Southeast Asia can take for safe, trustworthy and ethical AI outcomes

To help Southeast Asian countries advance safe, trustworthy, and ethical AI for climate action, several key actions are needed. These actions aim to address existing gaps, unlock new opportunities, and support long-term development in the region.

Strengthen policy and governance frameworks: Develop and implement national AI strategies and regulations that are cognisant of AI application for sustainable development. Ensure robust data governance and promote integration of climate and environmental data, as demonstrated by Indonesia’s National AI Strategy.

Unlock private sector investment and innovation: Encourage AI adoption through targeted support for private sector innovation, partnerships and infrastructure development.

Expand climate-ready infrastructure: Scale capital investments in physical infrastructure to support AI deployment, including data centres, supercomputing facilities and research hubs. Prioritise sustainable design to reduce energy and water use and position Southeast Asia as a green data centre hub.

Advance applied research and innovation: Support AI research initiatives that directly contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation. Examples include AI-driven microgrid optimisation through the SERVIR-Mekong Initiative and mangrove carbon monitoring tools in Vietnam.

Close climate data gaps: Improve climate data availability and quality through better local data collection systems and open data sharing. Integrate traditional ecological knowledge to create inclusive AI systems grounded in environmental expertise.

Build an inclusive and AI-ready workforce: Equip workers across economic sectors working on the sustainability challenge with foundational AI knowledge. Focus on digital inclusion for underrepresented groups and promote cross-domain education at the intersection of AI and climate science.

Ensure equitable access to funding and support for women innovators: Address structural barriers that limit women-led AI and climate technology startups. Create inclusive funding pathways, increase access to investor networks and build support systems that elevate diverse leadership in the climate and AI space.

Promote sustainable AI development: Strengthen environmental governance of AI systems, including responsible data centre growth. Encourage the use of efficient algorithms and renewable energy sources to reduce the environmental footprint of AI solutions.

Taking the next steps together

By focusing on these priority actions, countries in Southeast Asia can unlock the transformative potential of AI to address climate challenges and accelerate progress toward sustainable development goals.

To explore country-specific challenges and opportunities, and learn how we can support you with harnessing the power of AI for climate action, download our report.

Publication
AI for Sustainable Development in ASEAN
This report identifies key recommendations to create a safe and sustainable AI-powered future for Southeast Asia.
A close up of a leaf.


The report was commissioned by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), with support from Arup as the delivery partner.