Zebra Technologies and enterprise AI in the APAC

 

Enterprise AI Transformation Reaches a Tipping Point in APAC

The global enterprise AI transformation is accelerating, with the Asia Pacific region emerging as a key driver of change. At a time when CISQ estimates that poor software quality will cost U.S. businesses a staggering $2.41 trillion in 2022, the urgency for practical, results-driven AI implementation has never been greater. Zebra Technologies is stepping up to the challenge with ambitious plans to revolutionise frontline operations across the region.

Intelligent Automation: The Game Changer

While elements of Zebra’s AI strategy have been in development for years, the rapid evolution of intelligent automation is now reshaping frontline operations. Speaking at Zebra’s 2025 Kickoff in Perth, Australia, Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, highlighted the shift:

“We’re not just digitising workflows—we're integrating wearable technology with robotic processes, allowing frontline workers to interact with automation in ways that were unimaginable just five years ago.”

Real-World Impact: AI in Retail Operations

The tangible benefits of enterprise AI transformation are already evident. Zebra’s recent collaboration with a major North American retailer showcases AI’s potential to streamline operations. By combining traditional AI with generative AI, the solution enables rapid shelf analysis and automated task generation.

“You take a picture of a shelf, and within one second, traditional AI identifies all products, detects missing or misplaced items, and then hands the data to a Gen AI agent, which decides the next steps,” Bianculli explained.

This automation has significantly improved efficiency, cutting staffing needs by 25%. When stock shortages are detected, the system instantly assigns tasks to the right personnel, eliminating manual intervention and enhancing productivity.

APAC: A Leader in AI Adoption

The Asia Pacific region is at the forefront of enterprise AI transformation. According to IBM research presented at the briefing, 54% of APAC enterprises expect AI to drive long-term innovation and revenue growth. Key AI investment priorities for 2025 include:

• 21% focused on enhancing customer experiences
• 18% directed toward business process automation
• 16% invested in sales automation and customer lifecycle management

Ryan Goh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific at Zebra Technologies, highlighted the practical applications already making a difference:

“Our e-commerce customers are leveraging ring scanners to scan packages more efficiently, significantly improving productivity over traditional scanning methods.”

Innovation at the Edge

Zebra’s AI deployment strategy focuses on cutting-edge solutions, including:

• AI-powered devices with native neural architecture for on-device processing
• Multimodal AI experiences that mimic human cognitive capabilities
• Generative AI agents optimizing workload distribution between edge and cloud

The company is also making strides in edge computing, with plans to deploy on-device language models. This is particularly relevant for environments with limited or no internet connectivity, ensuring AI-driven insights remain accessible under any conditions.

Market Dynamics Across APAC

AI adoption varies significantly across APAC markets. India, for example, is experiencing rapid AI growth, with its GDP projected to rise by 6.6% and manufacturing expected to grow by 7% year over year. The country’s commitment to AI is evident, with 96% of organisations surveyed by the World Economic Forum actively running AI programs.

Japan presents a different challenge, with a projected GDP growth of just 1.2% and slower AI adoption in certain sectors. However, unexpected use cases are emerging. “We used to think tablets were mainly for retail, but we’ve seen game-changing applications in manufacturing and customer self-service,” Goh noted.

Future Outlook: The Path to Full-Scale AI Deployment

According to Gartner, by 2027, 25% of CIOs will implement augmented connected workforce initiatives, cutting competency development time in half. Zebra is already paving the way with its generative AI-powered Z word companion, set to begin pilot deployments with select customers in Q2 of this year.

With a global presence spanning 120+ offices in 55 countries and a network of over 10,000 channel partners in 185 countries, Zebra is well-positioned to shape the future of enterprise AI transformation across APAC. As organisations shift from AI experimentation to large-scale deployment, the focus remains on practical innovations that drive measurable business impact and operational efficiency.

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