Kissflow, a low-code platform provider, said CIOs in Southeast Asia are increasingly using low-code and AI tools to meet rising digital needs across the region, based on findings from its CIO Low-Code Strategy Pulse Report 2025.
The report notes that ASEAN’s digital industries are projected to grow from $300 billion to around $1 trillion by 2030. AI adoption is expected to contribute 13% to 18% to the region’s GDP by the end of the decade.
Kissflow said 86% of CIOs globally are now using low-code tools to speed up delivery and reduce dependence on traditional software developers. This trend is growing as both public and private sector organizations adopt digital-first policies.
“Southeast Asia is at the digital frontier,” said Rakesh Nandakumar, AVP, APAC of Kissflow. “Low-code and AI together give CIOs in the region a way to scale innovation and localise rapidly, without waiting for limited technical talent.”
The report also shows that Southeast Asia (SEA) continues to face a shortage of ICT talent, even as national and enterprise transformation programs expand. Kissflow said many organizations are being asked to deliver more digital services while managing limited developer resources and increasing IT backlogs. It added that 55% of CIOs believe AI will significantly increase the number of applications built in the coming years.
Low-code adoption is gaining ground in banking, government, and logistics. Kissflow said organizations with multi-entity operations, strict compliance needs, and growing service-delivery expectations are shifting away from traditional development models.
Business teams are also taking a more active role in building applications using no-code tools. According to the survey, operations teams account for 33% of business-led app creation, followed by finance at 25% and HR at 23%. Kissflow said this indicates a move toward business-led development in areas where quick turnaround matters.
AI capabilities are becoming an important factor when selecting low-code platforms. Kissflow reported that 34% of CIOs globally now view AI features as a key differentiator, especially for organizations operating across several countries with varying compliance requirements.
Kissflow said more Southeast Asia organizations now see low-code as a practical way to address talent gaps and support regional expansion. As CIOs plan ahead, low-code is viewed as a tool to deliver new services faster and help teams keep pace with the region’s growing digital transformation efforts.