DBS Group Research: The next AI race moves beyond intelligence to outcomes

Singapore, Regional, 12 Oct 2026 - Artificial intelligence is becoming more capable, more accessible and more widely deployed. In a new report “Intentional AI: Connecting Intelligence, Capital and Outcomes”, DBS Group Research argues that as AI capabilities become more widely available, access to intelligence alone will become a less durable source of competitive advantage. Instead, organisations will increasingly differentiate themselves through the problems they choose to solve and their ability to translate intelligence into measurable outcomes.

The report suggests that the next phase of the AI economy may be defined less by who can generate the most intelligence and more by who can apply it most effectively to solve real-world challenges. While the first wave of AI focused on capability, the next may increasingly be defined by outcomes.

For Asia, this shift creates a significant opportunity. The report identifies ageing, climate resilience and financial inclusion as some of the region's most consequential challenges and argues that these could also become major drivers of innovation, investment and long-term growth. Key findings include:

• • DBS Group Research argues that as AI capabilities become more widely diffused, future advantage will increasingly depend on identifying meaningful problems and aligning technology, capital, governance and execution around solving them. The report positions ageing, healthcare access, financial inclusion and climate resilience not only as policy priorities, but as emerging opportunities set for businesses and investors. (Pages 7 – 10, 11 – 14)

• • While much of the global AI conversation remains focused on foundation models and computing power, Asia accounted for 74% of global industrial robot installations in 2024, compared with 16% for Europe and 9% for the Americas. As AI increasingly moves beyond prediction into action, Asia already possesses significant advantages in deployment, manufacturing and physical systems. (Pages 15 – 16)

• • AI companies raised approximately USD270 billion in venture funding in 2025, with nearly 80% flowing to North America and 5.7% to Asia. At the same time, Asia faces some of the world’s largest opportunities in ageing, climate resilience and financial inclusion. DBS Group Research argues that as intelligence becomes increasingly abundant, future value creation may depend less on generating intelligence and more on deploying it effectively in sectors where outcomes matter most. (Pages 22 – 28)

• • Some of Asia's largest opportunities lie in converting intelligence into action. More accurate weather forecasts create value when they improve resilience. Greater access to financial services creates value when it improves financial health and economic agency. Across both domains, durable value comes from connecting intelligence to measurable outcomes. (Pages 17 – 12)

• • Singapore's comparative advantage lies not in competing on technological scale, but in helping connect Asia's strengths across innovation, manufacturing, deployment, finance, assurance and governance. The report proposes that Singapore can play a distinctive role in making Asian innovation more trusted, interoperable and investable across borders

About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best AI Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the winner of multiple digital assets awards. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, Wealth, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.

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With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.