APEC Leaders to Discuss AI in Shenzhen
Asia-Pacific leaders gather November 18-19 to discuss artificial intelligence as regional growth is projected to rise to 3.4% in 2026.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Do you think AI will improve the economy in your country over the next few years?
APEC leaders will meet in Shenzhen on November 18-19 to discuss artificial intelligence, following a CEO Summit held there from November 17 to 18. The meeting comes as APEC's 21 economies, which account for more than 60% of global GDP, prepare to advance a 2026-2030 AI Initiative.
Why it matters
APEC's AI Initiative sets a framework for innovation, capacity building and wider adoption across the region's economies. Persistent uncertainties such as inflation, trade concerns, and uneven technological preparedness shape how quickly those benefits can spread.
APEC's own study found that digitising trading papers can reduce transaction costs by around 5.8%, a measurable efficiency gain. The extraction does not say how AI adoption will be quantified across the bloc's economies.
The players
APEC
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum is a regional bloc of 21 economies that works to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation across the Pacific.
Albert Chen
Albert Chen is the founder of Two Small Fish Ventures, who identified semiconductors, photonics, and interconnects as fields with significant growth opportunities.
Tina Kung
Tina Kung is the founder and chief technology officer of Nue, a company working in the technology sector.
The details
Asia-Pacific economies are projected to grow 3.4% in 2026, up from 3.2% in 2025, according to the APEC Secretariat. The July digital and AI ministerial in Chengdu had already focused on digital infrastructure, digital skills, trusted digital environments, and real-world use cases.
Timeline
July: Digital and AI ministerial held in Chengdu.
November 17 to 18: CEO Summit held in Shenzhen.
November 18-19: APEC leaders meet in Shenzhen to discuss AI.
Roadmap
APEC's 2026-2030 AI Initiative establishes a regional framework for innovation, capacity building and adoption that the Shenzhen leaders' meeting is set to discuss. Chen's remarks at SAAS NORTH AI pointed to a divide in which China leads in AI infrastructure and industrial applications while North America excels in foundational models and enterprise software.
AI agents can automate routine tasks for smaller companies, freeing owners to spend more time serving clients. Digitising trading papers is one concrete change that could lower the cost of doing business across the region.
The takeaway
Regional AI policy is moving from discussion toward a 2026-2030 framework, so the practical gains in efficiency and trade costs will depend on how quickly economies adopt these tools. Watch the Shenzhen outcomes for concrete commitments.
What happens next
APEC leaders are scheduled to meet in Shenzhen on November 18-19 to discuss artificial intelligence.
Further reading
For the broader picture of how governments are shaping this technology, see our Artificial Intelligence coverage.
Live Poll
Do you think AI will improve the economy in your country over the next few years?
