On October 26, 2025, Google made a series of sweeping announcements and product updates that underscore its growing influence across Southeast Asia and beyond. From new artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives designed to supercharge economic growth, to subtle yet impactful changes in everyday apps like Chrome and Google Maps, and even future-proofing cloud security against quantum threats, the tech giant’s reach continues to expand in both breadth and depth. But what’s really happening behind these headlines, and how might these changes shape the daily lives and future prospects of millions across the region?
At the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS), held alongside the 47th ASEAN Summit, Google unveiled a robust slate of AI-powered programs aimed squarely at Southeast Asia’s digital transformation. According to the ‘AI Opportunity in Southeast Asia’ report, a staggering 70% of people in the region are already using generative AI tools weekly—a rate that could potentially boost the regional economy by an eye-popping US$270 billion. The region’s tech-optimistic population and rapidly evolving digital infrastructure have set the stage for what Google calls “real, tangible progress across the region.”
One of the most headline-grabbing developments is the way AI is accelerating scientific discovery. Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold technology, which models intricate 3D protein structures, has become indispensable to over 85,000 researchers in Southeast Asia. The impact is already visible: in Malaysia, AlphaFold is expediting the search for treatments and vaccines for melioidosis, a deadly infectious disease. Meanwhile, in Singapore, scientists are leveraging the same technology to detect early indicators of Parkinson’s disease, paving the way for more proactive and personalized healthcare solutions, as reported by Google at ABIS.
But AI’s reach doesn’t stop at healthcare. Google DeepMind’s Agricultural APIs, developed by the AnthroKrishi team, are now being expanded into Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. These models offer real-time insights on crop types, field sizes, proximity to water, and even sow or harvest dates. Such granular data is crucial for promoting sustainability and resilience in agriculture, especially as climate conditions become more unpredictable. The company’s commitment to sustainability is further highlighted by a US$1.5 million grant from Google.org to TransitionZero, a climate analytics nonprofit. This funding will support the development of an AI-powered tool for clean energy planning, starting with partnerships in Malaysia and Singapore, enabling faster and smarter decisions about energy investments.
Education and digital literacy are also front and center in Google’s vision for Southeast Asia. Since October 2024, the AI Ready ASEAN initiative—launched with support from Google.org and the ASEAN Foundation—has equipped over 800,000 young people, educators, and parents with essential AI skills. The recently launched AI Class ASEAN online platform has already attracted over 14,000 users in just two months, providing self-paced training that’s accessible to all. Google’s Gemini Academy has trained more than 290,000 teachers across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, ensuring that AI tools are integrated into classrooms from the ground up. And for students aged 18 and above, the Gemini AI Pro Plan is now available free of charge for a full year.
Of course, rapid digital adoption brings its own set of challenges, particularly around safety and wellbeing. To address these, Google.org has pledged US$5 million to promote youth digital wellbeing in Southeast Asia, supporting nonprofits that provide practical resources for teenagers, parents, and teachers to foster healthy relationships with technology. Since 2020, Google.org’s contributions to social impact organizations in the region have totaled over US$40 million in cash, US$80 million in product donations, and 20,000 volunteer hours, reaching nearly 4 million learners and supporting digital skilling, cybersecurity, and AI literacy efforts.
While these grand-scale initiatives make headlines, Google’s influence is also felt in the small conveniences of everyday life. Take Google Maps, for example. As Diario AS highlighted, the app now features a handy “Save parking” option. By tapping the blue dot marking your current location and selecting “Save parking,” users can store the exact spot where they left their car—complete with notes like “Level 3, Row B” or “Next to the exit,” and even set a timer for expiring meters. The saved location appears at the top of the search bar, making it a breeze to retrieve directions later. It’s a simple trick, but one that can save time and stress, especially in sprawling malls or unfamiliar city centers.
Meanwhile, Google has quietly updated Chrome on Android phones to help users manage the ever-growing deluge of notifications. As reported by Forbes, the browser now automatically removes notification permissions for websites with low engagement but high notification volume. Users are notified when permissions are revoked and can easily re-enable them if they wish. For those who prefer to manage things manually, the automation can be disabled. The update aims to reduce notification overload in the Android 16 system and gives users more control over how, when, and from whom they receive updates. Google is also stepping up security, monitoring sites that access the camera and microphone—signaled by green or orange dots on the screen.
On the security front, Google Cloud announced a significant leap forward with preview support for post-quantum Key Encapsulation Mechanisms (KEMs) in its Key Management Service (Cloud KMS). According to Google Cloud, this move is designed to prepare organizations for the looming threat posed by cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs), which could one day break today’s standard public-key cryptography. The feature specifically addresses “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, where adversaries store encrypted data now with the intent to decrypt it years down the line when quantum computers become a reality. Google strongly recommends the adoption of Hybrid Public Key Encryption (HPKE) standards, which make it easier to integrate these new, quantum-safe KEMs. However, post-quantum keys and ciphertexts are much larger—ML-KEM-768 keys, for example, are about 18 times bigger than P-256 keys—posing new challenges for bandwidth, storage, and memory. Despite the urgency, organizational readiness remains low, with only 9% of organizations having a post-quantum roadmap, according to a 2024 Bain & Co. survey cited by Google Cloud experts.
All told, Google’s latest moves signal a company that’s not just riding the wave of digital transformation in Southeast Asia but actively shaping it. From empowering millions with AI skills and tools, to making daily life a little less stressful, and even safeguarding the future of data security, Google’s influence is both pervasive and profound. The future, it seems, is arriving faster than ever—and for Southeast Asia, the momentum is only building.
