Event Date:
June 3, 2025 at 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm
On 3 June, ASPI USA was delighted to host a special panel discussion titled “AI, Alliances, and Action: Advancing Tech-Enabled Influence in the Indo-Pacific” at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) AI+ Expo. Dr. Nishank Motwani, Senior Fellow and Director of Alliance Strategy at ASPI USA, sat down with Peter Barrett, General Partner at Playground Global, and Mark Stewart, Director of National Security at Microsoft, to explore how technology is shaping the strategic landscape in the Indo-Pacific. The conversation spanned national innovation strategies, the future of quantum, cloud and AI infrastructure, and the role of tech diplomacy and tech-enabled deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Some key takeaways included:
- Microsoft’s investments in building Japan’s hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure are laying the digital foundation for its future—reinforcing Japan’s role as a global innovation leader.
- The US retains a vital edge through its national labs, which drive foundational research across energy, security, and advanced tech. Scaling matters, but discovery is what creates breakthroughs.
- We need stronger public-private collaboration to drive leadership in creating new tech—quantum being a standout example. Its potential goes far beyond cybersecurity, with game-changing use cases in materials science, energy, and healthcare.
- Western tech companies have a values-driven advantage over competitors, but to stay ahead, they must continue to deliver the best tech and compete on price and performance.
- Finally, tech diplomacy matters. Companies from the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia (among others) are essential partners in strengthening disaster response, public health, digital infrastructure, and maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.
Many thanks to our brilliant panelists from Playground Global and Microsoft for sharing their insights and engaging with the audience in a lively conversation. The Indo-Pacific is arguably the decisive terrain for tech-enabled influence—and it’s clear we must align strategy, science, and partnerships to shape the future.
