AI for MSME Advancement in ASEAN, or AIM ASEAN, is a regional programme that helps Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Southeast Asia use artificial intelligence (AI) to grow stronger, more efficient, and more competitive. Led by the ASEAN Foundation in partnership with AVPN and supported by USD 1.4 million grant Google.org, the two-year programme will provide AI training to 120,000 MSMEs across all ten ASEAN Member States.

AIM ASEAN is part of the broader AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific 2.0, an initiative that aims to empower 720,000 businesses across the region by improving their access to practical AI skills and tools. Through AIM ASEAN, MSMEs in ASEAN will gain tailored, hands-on support to adopt AI in ways that meet their specific needs.

The programme is implemented through a network of local partner organisations in each ASEAN country. These partners will deliver AI training that reflects the real-world challenges of MSME owners, whether in agriculture, retail, manufacturing, or services. Using Google’s suite of AI resources, each training module will cover practical applications like AI-powered marketing, online sales strategies, and digital tools to streamline operations and manage finances more effectively. Training will be offered in a hybrid format, blending in-person workshops, online learning, and peer-to-peer support.

Beyond training, AIM ASEAN will also bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts through ten national roundtables and one regional policy convening to discuss how to better support small businesses in adopting AI.

By helping MSMEs unlock the potential of AI, AIM ASEAN supports the region’s shift toward a more inclusive, future-ready digital economy.