The 2025 Connectivity Benchmark Report: How To Unlock AI’s Full Potential in ASEAN

Businesses today are juggling an impressive number of applications, with the average enterprise using a staggering 897 apps and nearly half (45%) managing over 1,000. Despite this app explosion, only 2% of IT leaders say their organisations have successfully integrated more than half of them. That means most businesses are running on a patchwork of disconnected systems‌ — ‌leaving valuable AI-driven insights locked away in silos.

That’s according to MuleSoft’s 10th annual Connectivity Benchmark Report, which showcases key insights from over 1000 IT leaders from around the world, including Singapore.

Despite 93% of global IT leaders intending to introduce autonomous agents within the next 2 years (and nearly half having already done so), 66% still haven’t jumped on the opportunity to provide an integrated user experience across their channels. 

Having robust data management and integration is essential to leveraging AI effectively. Companies that embrace this shift are not only more agile and efficient, but also better positioned to stay competitive in a dynamic market. 

In this report, we cover the rise of autonomous agents and AI adoption, challenges and barriers to legacy modernisation, the critical role integration plays in creating an agentic enterprise, as well as how APIs continue to drive revenue and increase productivity. Here are the key insights you need to know.

1. AI adoption skyrockets: From enthusiasm to execution

As the strategic adoption of AI in businesses gains traction, organisations worldwide are now accelerating their adoption of autonomous AI agents like Agentforce. In fact, our report shows 93% of IT leaders plan to introduce agents within the next two years and nearly half have already taken the leap. 

This reflects the fact that the number of AI models in use has already doubled since 2024, and IT leaders predict a further 78% increase in the next three years, bringing the average to 32 models per organisation.

To support this rapid expansion, IT staffing budgets are also surging. Over the past year, estimated IT budgets have jumped by 71.4%, from $10.47 million to $16.91 million. This investment reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals capable of navigating AI integration challenges.

Nowhere is this shift more apparent than in Singapore, a regional tech hub with advanced digital infrastructure, strong government support, and widespread AI adoption across key industries such as finance, logistics, and healthcare. In 2019, Singapore was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a national AI strategy, which was updated in 2023.

As Singapore continues to solidify its position as a leader in AI adoption, the focus is shifting from enthusiasm to execution. Successfully integrating AI will determine whether businesses can harness its full potential‌ — ‌or struggle with fragmented implementations.

2. Connecting systems for AI success

ASEAN customers expect smooth experiences, and the ability to create a connected system will put businesses ahead of the game. Whether switching between apps, engaging with support services, or making a purchase, a fragmented user journey can lead to frustration — and lost business. Yet, only 34% of organisations offer a fully integrated experience across all channels, leaving many struggling to meet customer expectations.

Our report shows nearly half (49%) of businesses that have successfully created a connected user experience report an improved return on investment. That’s why IT teams are exploring a range of tools to speed up application development and streamline operations. The most popular strategies include leveraging AI tools, reusing software components, and tapping into an application programming interface (we’ll explore these further in part four of this blog) to break down silos and enhance efficiency.

Companies need to prioritise seamless integration to use AI in a way that unlocks value across the business. Organisations that get this right won’t just keep up — they’ll be the ones setting the pace in an increasingly AI-driven world.

3. Why integrated data is crucial

Without an integrated approach, AI lacks ‌access to the critical data it needs to function at its best. Our findings show that businesses are feeling the strain, with 81% of IT leaders saying data integration is one of their biggest challenges when implementing AI for system-wide improvements. Even more concerning, 41% report that outdated legacy IT systems are holding them back from fully harnessing AI’s potential.

While Singapore is leading the way in AI adoption, other ASEAN countries are also making progress despite challenges such as fragmented digital infrastructure. With continued investment and collaboration, the region has immense potential to accelerate AI growth and innovation. By using platforms like MuleSoft, IT leaders will be able to better integrate data across multiple sources, taking the first critical step to keep their company moving forward.

Jamie Quek, Director of Technology at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, said this approach has been crucial to the business’s growth momentum.

4. The automation and API revolution

Alongside integrated systems and solid data, a well-rounded automation strategy is no longer just a nice-to-have — it’s essential for businesses looking to fully incorporate AI into their operations. 

While many organisations recognise the importance of a well-rounded automation strategy, plenty are still in the early stages of development — 24% of IT teams are still working on shaping their approach, and 10% organisations have only just begun planning their automation efforts.

One thing is clear: IT teams remain at the centre of this transformation. Automation still relies heavily on IT expertise, with 71% of organisations having their automation efforts overseen by IT developers. Additionally, 63% of businesses report that their IT operations teams play a critical role in driving automation forward. This hands-on involvement highlights the complexity of automation initiatives and the need for strong technical leadership to ensure successful implementation. A key piece of the automation puzzle? APIs. 

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are sets of rules that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs are crucial to automation because they allow different software systems to interact seamlessly without human intervention. For example, a weather app might use an API to fetch real-time weather data from a government database.

Long valued for their ability to reduce inefficiencies and boost productivity, APIs are also now proving to be a serious revenue driver. IT leaders report that APIs and API-related implementations now contribute to 40% of company revenue — up significantly from just 25% in 2018. This shift underscores how businesses are leveraging APIs for operational efficiency and as a core part of their growth strategies.

A striking 91% of IT leaders also believe that collaborating with third parties could help them maximise the return on investment for APIs.

“Our leadership’s strategy for API management has been invaluable in shaping our digital transformation efforts with MuleSoft. With our organisation’s focus on expanding into markets like China, MuleSoft has allowed our business to remain agile and resilient despite global macroeconomic challenges,” says Nicholas Sutrisno, VP Digital International at CapitaLand, one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups. 

While CapitaLand is ahead of the game, they aren’t necessarily the norm, with 87% of IT leaders saying their organisation’s approach to API management could be better.

5. AI without integration falls short

Our report shows that AI is only as powerful as the data it can access and the integrated ecosystem it is embedded in. Without these two elements receiving proper consideration, even the most advanced AI initiatives will underperform. That’s why platforms like MuleSoft exist, to give IT teams the tools to automate everything, including integrating data and systems, automating workflows and processes, and creating incredible digital experiences — all on a single, easy-to-use platform. 

Businesses that prioritise data connectivity and API-driven strategies will gain a competitive edge. While AI readiness varies across ASEAN, companies that invest in seamless data and systems integration now will gain a first-mover advantage, setting the stage for long-term success.

“As AI adoption accelerates across ASEAN, businesses are realising that their biggest challenge isn’t just deploying new technologies‌ — ‌it’s ensuring these technologies work together seamlessly. Siloed systems and disconnected data hinder agility, automation, and real-time decision-making. This is where MuleSoft transforms the game. 

About our report: MuleSoft’s 10th annual Connectivity Benchmark Report was produced in collaboration with Vanson Bourne and Deloitte Digital and features interviews with 1,050 IT leaders across the globe, showcasing AI adoption trends and predictions, the critical importance of integration, automation’s impacts on productivity, and how APIs continue to be a significant source of revenue.