Malaysia – The latest findings from market research firm Ipsos revealed that consumers in the Asia-Pacific region expressed significant concerns about the future, despite wide adoption of artificial intelligence and new technologies.
According to the report, there has been a 19% increase in Indians who feel technology is damaging their lives since 2013, while Japan has witnessed an 18-point rise in such worries.
Fears about AI and digital privacy and security also remain significant, with seven in 10 consumers in the Asia-Pacific region concerned about how their information is being collected by companies. This sentiment was particularly high in the Philippines (86%) as well as in Thailand and Singapore (both at 81%).
Moreover, it was observed that many young people in Asia, including 57% of Gen Z in the APAC region, report a preference for the era of their parents’ youth, surpassing the global figure of 51%. Such nostalgia presents brands with the opportunity to incorporate elements of the past into modern, innovative experiences.
Interestingly, the report also found a broad acceptance of climate change as a reality and that immediate action is needed. Around 84% of respondents even believe the world was headed for environmental disaster unless the region changed its habits quickly. Said concern has notably grown in Australia, where agreement has risen by 15% since 2013.
In addition, the majority of consumers across the Asia-Pacific region also said individuals should not be the ones to make greater changes to their daily lives to minimise climate change impacts.
In fact, about 73% across Asia reported they were already doing all they could to save the environment. This feeling was prevalent in Indonesia (91%), Thailand (89%), and the Philippines (87%).
Accordingly, around 75% believe companies are not paying enough attention to the environment. More worryingly, most people in India, the Taiwan region, Indonesia, and Thailand feel it is already too late to do anything about climate change.
“As Asia-Pacific’s economic, political, and cultural influence continues to grow in an interconnected and complex world, the importance of understanding the region has never been more important,” said Hamish Munro, APEC CEO at Ipsos.
Munro then added, “This latest report highlights how our consumers and citizens think and feel in a world of rapid change and complexity, particularly around technological evolution, societal change, and climate change. The insights reveal a region that is open to transformation but wants its businesses to step up, guide the change revolution, and be leaders.
“When it comes to climate change, consumers believe brands have a critical role to play in minimising harmful environmental effects. There is a real opportunity for brands to be environmental leaders and demonstrate their commitment to climate change efforts,” he further explained.
