Recent AI-Driven Digital Healthcare Development in Southeast Asia

On February 24, Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the country’s public health ecosystem, including preparedness for disease control through the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and smart diagnostic kits. The collaboration will support the development of data platforms for big data and Internet of Things (IoT) healthcare integration, vaccine passport systems introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and community healthcare platforms designed to monitor individuals at risk of infectious diseases, hypertension, and diabetes.

To better prepare for the healthcare needs of an aging society, the Malaysian government announced a pilot project to install 150 AI-powered safety devices for elderly care beginning in June. The devices will be deployed in senior citizens’ residences, care centers, and individual homes to enhance monitoring and protection. Equipped with infrared sensors and AI systems, the devices track movement and detect high-risk situations in real time. The project follows a MoU signed in October 2025 between Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor foundation and Korean technology company UNIUNI. The pilot comes at a critical time as more than 8% of the state’s population already aged 65 and above, highlighting the growing need for innovative solutions for more effective elderly care.

On February 24, the GSMA Foundry, the mobile industry’s collaborative innovation hub, announced a strategic agreement with the Singapore’s National University Health System (NUHS). The partnership aims to enhance healthcare delivery by integrating advanced mobile technologies, including 5G private networks, digital twins, extended reality (XR), IoT devices, and ambient AI. In its initial phase, the collaboration will focus on global partnerships and technical acceleration in areas such as 5G-enabled remote surgical assistance, XR training and simulation, robotic systems, and intelligent facilities management.

These public-private partnerships  in digital and AI healthcare initiatives come amid growing market potential in the sector. According to IMARC Group, Southeast Asia’s digital health market reached approximately USD 17.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 38.3 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.45% between 2025 and 2033.