Akamai Study: GenAI Fuels Rapid Edge Computing Adoption in APAC, 80% of CIOs Plan Reliance by 2027
SINGAPORE – September 26, 2025 – A new study commissioned by Akamai Technologies reveals generative AI (GenAI) is a primary driver of edge computing adoption across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, with 80% of CIOs anticipating reliance on edge services by 2027 to effectively support AI workloads. The research highlights a significant shift in IT strategy as organizations seek to overcome latency and bandwidth challenges associated with centralized cloud infrastructure when deploying GenAI applications.
The surge in GenAI adoption is creating a critical need for distributed computing power closer to end-users. According to the study, APAC CIOs recognize that edge computing is no longer a future consideration but a present-day necessity for unlocking the full potential of AI.This trend represents “The Edge Evolution,” a move towards a more decentralized and responsive IT architecture capable of handling the demands of increasingly elegant AI applications.
Akamai’s research indicates that organizations are prioritizing edge computing to address key challenges including reducing latency (cited by 78% of respondents), improving request performance (72%), and enhancing data security (65%). The study also found that industries such as financial services, healthcare, and retail are leading the charge in edge adoption, driven by the need for real-time insights and personalized customer experiences.
“GenAI is fundamentally reshaping the IT landscape, and APAC organizations are recognizing that traditional centralized cloud models simply can’t deliver the performance and scalability required for these demanding workloads,” said a representative from Akamai. “The Edge Evolution is about bringing compute power closer to the point of consumption, enabling businesses to innovate faster, deliver better experiences, and maintain a competitive edge.”
Akamai is a cybersecurity and cloud computing company powering and protecting business online. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at Akamai.com and Akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.
