At the ASEAN Green Jobs Forum, Peter Brimble shared insights from AI Asia Pacific Institute’s (AIAPI) new publication, AI and Workforce Transformation: Unlocking Pathways to Inclusive Growth, developed in collaboration with LinkedIn.
The message was simple and powerful: ASEAN’s digital transformation and green transition aren’t two separate stories, they’re one shared journey. These “twin transitions” will shape how our economies grow, how industries evolve, and what kinds of jobs people build their futures around.
A Big Shift Is Already Happening
AI is transforming the world of work faster than many of us realize. In ASEAN, over half of existing jobs are expected to be augmented, disrupted, or reshaped by AI in the coming years. At the same time, the region is pushing hard toward sustainability and climate action.
This convergence is a once-in-a-generation opportunity: if we align the digital and green agendas, we can create smarter, cleaner, and more inclusive growth. To seize it, we need to act fast, especially to ensure that no one gets left behind.
The Twin Transitions in Action
What does this actually mean in practice?
- Digital and Green Together: AI can make energy systems cleaner, agriculture more sustainable, and industries more efficient.
- New Skills, New Jobs: The future will increasingly demand people who can combine AI know-how with sustainability expertise, whether in energy, agriculture, or manufacturing.
- Powering MSMEs: Small businesses are at the heart of ASEAN’s economies. AI tools can help them save resources, cut costs, and tap into green markets.
- Lifelong Learning: Training systems and TVET programs must evolve—integrating AI and sustainability to prepare the workforce for tomorrow.
- Smart Policy: Governments have a unique opportunity to align digital and green strategies so that workforce transformation becomes a driver of shared prosperity
Who Needs the Most Support
The benefits of these transitions won’t be automatic. Some groups face higher risks of being left behind:
- Women are overrepresented in roles most exposed to AI disruption.
- Young workers, especially Gen Z, know change is coming fast, but are not always equipped with the right skills.
- MSMEs and informal workers form the backbone of ASEAN’s economies but often have the least access to new tools and resources.
Supporting these groups is essential for building a resilient, inclusive economy.
Five Actions We Can Take Now
To make the twin transitions work for everyone, we need bold, practical steps:
- Invest in digital access for all — Reliable, affordable connectivity is a foundation, not a luxury.
- Empower MSMEs — Give small businesses the tools and skills to thrive in a greener, more digital economy.
- Boost skills and lifelong learning — From classrooms to workplaces, learning must evolve.
- Collaborate regionally — ASEAN can lead by sharing knowledge and recognizing skills across borders.
- Put inclusion first — Gender, youth, and rural voices must be at the heart of every policy and program
Why This Moment Matters
The next few years are crucial. If we get this right, ASEAN can lead the way in building a future where technology powers sustainability and where growth benefits everyone, not just a few.
The twin transitions are not just about machines or climate targets. They’re about people, skills, and opportunity. And with the right vision, this can be a turning point for our region.
