Southeast Asia’s 243 million AI users—58% of the working population—adopt the technology four times faster than mobile internet, yet only 1–2% pay for personal subscriptions. Businesses monetize AI through e-commerce, advertising, and automation, such as Shopee’s AI chatbots handling 80% of customer queries and cutting contact costs by 30%. The region’s digital economy is projected to grow 17% to $368 billion this year, with AI driving gains in travel, ride-hailing, and media. Consumers show high trust in AI tools, with 75% open to autonomous purchases and 62% reporting increased confidence over the past year.

Oct 2026CNBC TechNews article

Indonesia’s government revises **Minister of Trade Regulation Number 31 of 2023** to address seller concerns in e-commerce and online marketplaces. The update aims to clarify operational policies amid growing complaints about platform fairness and enforcement. Sellers have reportedly highlighted issues like fee structures and dispute resolution processes.

May 2026Antara NewsNews article

Shopee increases its transaction fee for sellers from **2.0% to 3.5%** starting **August 1**. The adjustment applies to all sellers on the Southeast Asian e-commerce platform. The change follows Shopee’s stated goal of optimizing revenue while maintaining marketplace operations.

Jul 2024The StarNews article

Sea’s e-commerce platform **Shopee** is closing its operations in **Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico** following strategic reviews. The move affects millions of sellers and buyers across the four Latin American markets where the platform operates. Shopee does not disclose specific reasons but cites internal evaluations as the basis for the decision.

Sep 2022The Straits TimesNews article