Much of the tech world is bracing for the AI bubble to burst, but Southeast Asia might dodge most of the fallout because the region never inflated in the first place, says Jussi Salovaara, co-founder and managing director of Singapore-based VC firm Antler.

Global investments in AI companies – driven largely by US players – reached US$149.1 billion as of October 2025, according to Crunchbase. Those based in Asia got US$9.2 billion during the same period, with the number growing each quarter.

Much of the tech world is bracing for the AI bubble to burst, but Southeast Asia might dodge most of the fallout because the region never inflated in the first place, says Jussi Salovaara, co-founder and managing director of Singapore-based VC firm Antler.

Global investments in AI companies – driven largely by US players – reached US$149.1 billion as of October 2025, according to Crunchbase. Those based in Asia got US$9.2 billion during the same period, with the number growing each quarter.