AI tools widely adopted by Southeast Asia & India developers
Agoda has published a report examining how software developers in Southeast Asia and India are using artificial intelligence (AI) at work, highlighting nearly universal adoption but a gap between practical use and full maturity.
The research, which compiled responses from more than 600 developers spanning Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and India, reveals that AI tools have become embedded in daily workflows for engineers across the region. According to the study, 95% of developers use AI weekly and over half keep an AI assistant open at all times, predominantly to accelerate their work and boost productivity.
Productivity and pragmatism
Adoption is primarily driven by the need for speed and efficiency, with 80% of surveyed developers citing these as their main motivations. Tangible benefits are being realised, as 37% of respondents say they save between four and six hours per week thanks to AI. Despite these gains, developers tend to use AI for support rather than creativity, with only 22% relying on it to solve unfamiliar problems and fewer than half (43%) believing that AI can perform at the level of a mid-level engineer.
The report outlines that most developers (94%) use AI for code generation but are less likely to involve it in tasks further along the software development cycle, such as documentation, testing, or deployment. This trend highlights limits in confidence around the reliability of AI-generated outputs, signalling a gap between utility and trust.
Oversight and verification
With inconsistent or unreliable AI outputs noted as a primary barrier for broader usage (as stated by 79% of developers), the report notes that rigorous oversight remains standard practice. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents review all AI-generated code before it is merged, and 70% report routinely reworking AI outputs to ensure correctness. While formal AI policies remain rare - with only one in four teams operating under official guidelines - robust review processes are helping to improve the dependability of AI tools through team-led validation and checks.
"Artificial intelligence is reshaping how developers across Southeast Asia and India build, learn, and collaborate," said Idan Zalzberg, Chief Technology Officer at Agoda. "What began as a way to speed up tasks like writing, testing, or debugging code has grown into a broader shift in how software is built. Today, AI helps teams move faster, learn continuously, and solve problems in new ways.
"In this region, AI use is mainstream but still uneven. Developers are approaching AI with pragmatism - accelerating work, maintaining quality, and experimenting thoughtfully rather than replacing skill or judgment. The real opportunity lies in supporting this ground-up maturity with structured practices and responsible experimentation, turning high adoption into consistent, lasting capability."
Training and upskilling
Despite near-universal usage, the experience with AI and access to training programmes was reported to be uneven across the region. The study noted that most developers are acquiring AI skills independently, with 71% learning through tutorials, side projects, or online communities, while just 28% have access to employer-led training. There are notable differences between countries; developers in Singapore are nearly twice as likely to participate in formal programmes when compared to their counterparts in Vietnam.
Nevertheless, the report points to significant self-driven development in AI capabilities, as 87% of all surveyed developers have adjusted their learning or career plans to leverage AI, and 62% expect the technology to broaden their career opportunities. This trend reflects a workforce that is moving quickly to adopt new tools and skills, regardless of the level of organisational support available.
Study details
The study was conducted in partnership with Macramé Consulting using an online survey during August and September 2025. Participants represented a mix of experience levels, company sizes, and sectors, offering insights into how AI is being integrated and experienced throughout the region's software development community.
The survey examined five key themes: developer mindset, tools and stack trends, AI in the workflow, productivity and collaboration, and talent and growth. The findings were supplemented by case studies from regional organisations, providing context for real-world applications of AI in development practices.
