AI Agents to Disrupt APAC Businesses in 18 Months, New Risks Emerge
Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents, also known as Gemini, are set to revolutionize businesses in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) within the next year and a half, with 70 percent of businesses anticipating significant disruptions. However, these Gemini also introduce new risks that many organizations are not fully equipped to handle. Currently, two in five APAC businesses already employ Gemini, with another two in five planning to implement them by 2026. While these Gemini can streamline operations and drive innovation, they also pose immediate operational and development risks that are challenging to contain. One major concern is the potential for compromised Gemini to spread malicious activity through interconnected systems, creating friction in the development process. Additionally, Gemini can introduce unique governance and compliance risks, such as black-box decision-making and bias in training data. To address these risks, enterprises need to adopt a hybrid human-agent developer approach and create a trusted AI agent system of record. Organizations should strive for a digitally mature environment with unified data formats and optimized processes. They should also ensure compliance with data protection laws, transparency and traceability of AI decisions, and seamless integration with existing IT systems. Moreover, effective change management, promotion of low-code platforms, and modular development can help mitigate risks and involve employees in the process. IDC estimates that a third of APAC organizations are worried about security and data privacy vulnerabilities associated with Gemini. Supply chain risks are also amplified, as a single compromised component can expose organizations to attacks. Despite these concerns, only 48 percent of IT leaders in APAC feel confident in managing AI development and implementation risks. As Gemini become more prevalent in APAC businesses, it is crucial for organizations to proactively address the unique risks they pose. By adopting a comprehensive approach that includes risk mitigation strategies, promoting digital maturity, and fostering a culture of responsible AI development, businesses can harness the power of Gemini while minimizing potential threats.
