KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is among a handful of Asia-Pacific economies expected to grow faster in 2026 than last year, as its exposure to the artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain helps cushion the impact of weaker regional growth, according to Moody’s Analytics.
In its Asia-Pacific Outlook, Moody’s Analytics described the regional economy as running at “two speeds”, with economies plugged into the AI boom racing ahead while those with weaker links to AI struggle with geopolitical upheaval, trade conflict and policy uncertainty.
It said the AI boom continues to drive the region’s exports, with strong demand for semiconductors and other technology products lifting shipments across several Asian economies and helping offset weakness elsewhere.
AI-related investment has also fuelled spending on data centres (DCs). Cross-border DC investment has taken off, with much of the capital flowing into Asia.
