Why AI is Southeast Asia's new engine for profitable growth
Southeast Asia's digital economy is experiencing rapid growth and profitability. AI can be a driver in its success, but investment and support will be key.
Sapna Chadha is Vice President at Google, responsible for business growth, strategy, and operations across Southeast and South Asia Frontier. She brings with her over 25 years of global management, business, and marketing experience.
Since joining Google in 2014, Sapna has held leadership positions across geographies, promoting Google's mission of introducing the most helpful products and services for advertisers and users in the Asia Pacific region. Before her current appointment, she was the Vice President of Marketing for Southeast Asia and India, driving Google's marketing strategy across the consumer and commercial business. Within her capacity, she was responsible for delivering business outcomes and user growth through integrated performance marketing and data insights.
Sapna is a founding member of Google APAC's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, where she strongly advocates for promoting greater representation across the company. She has also pioneered several initiatives to ensure digital skills remain equitable and inclusive, especially for underrepresented groups in Asia. In 2021, her work was acknowledged with Campaign Asia's Women Leading Change Award, and was also recognized as one of Asia Pacific's Most Influential and Purposeful Marketers for the past three consecutive years.
Southeast Asia's digital economy is experiencing rapid growth and profitability. AI can be a driver in its success, but investment and support will be key.
Southeast Asia's digital economy could reach up to $1 trillion gross merchandise value by 2030. Here are three steps we need to take to make that happen.