ASIATODAY.ID, MANILA — As governments across Asia and the Pacific race to keep up with rapid technological change, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched an ambitious new digital strategy aimed at helping countries harness artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies while safeguarding societies from growing digital risks.
ADB President Masato Kanda said the region is facing one of the most significant technological transformations in modern history.
“A technological wave is breaking across Asia and the Pacific. We can ride that wave to greater prosperity or be pulled under by it,” Kanda said on Thursday.
At the center of the initiative is ADB’s US$20 billion Asia-Pacific Digital Highway, a major investment program designed to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen connectivity, and improve access to technology across the region.
The effort will be guided by ADB’s new 2026–2030 strategy, Digital Transformation for Development: Advancing Inclusion, Security, and Innovation, which seeks to help member economies unlock the benefits of AI while ensuring that digital transformation remains secure, inclusive, and sustainable.
Under the strategy, ADB will support countries in expanding digital connectivity, developing future-ready skills, strengthening cybersecurity and privacy protections, improving data governance frameworks, and promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
The bank believes that AI and digital technologies are increasingly becoming key drivers of economic competitiveness, public-sector efficiency, job creation, resilience, and social inclusion.
However, without adequate safeguards and preparedness, the same technologies could widen inequalities and expose societies to greater cyber threats.
To address these challenges, ADB will work with governments to assess digital readiness, identify critical gaps, and design targeted investments and policy reforms tailored to national development priorities.
Support will include the deployment of stronger digital infrastructure, more secure and interoperable systems, and initiatives aimed at extending the benefits of digital innovation to underserved and vulnerable communities.
Beyond financing, ADB plans to convene governments, private-sector leaders, technology companies, and development partners to mobilize investment, share expertise, and accelerate the adoption of practical digital solutions across Asia and the Pacific.
The strategy reflects the growing recognition that artificial intelligence and digital technologies will play a decisive role in shaping the region’s economic future. As global competition intensifies, ADB aims to ensure that digital transformation not only drives growth but also delivers broader social and economic benefits.
Founded in 1966, the is a leading multilateral development institution owned by 69 members, including 50 from Asia and the Pacific. The bank supports sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development through innovative financing and strategic partnerships. (AT Network)
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