📈 APAC Gen Z Leads Daily AI Adoption & Friends-like Engagement, Kaspersky Reports

Kaspersky’s latest market research reveals Gen Z as the most active generation using artificial intelligence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, turning to conversational AI for both everyday tasks and personal companionship. • Daily Adoption & Usage Trends: 50% of APAC Gen Z respondents use AI daily or almost daily. Primary applications include: • Information search: 57% • Academic studying: 54% • Idea generation: 50% • AI as a Companion: 32% of regional Gen Z interact with AI as a friend, with top regional engagement seen in Indonesia (39%), Vietnam (35%), Thailand (34%), Malaysia (33%), and India (32%). Additionally, 34% discuss non-disclosed personal issues with AI models, led by Vietnam (42%), India (37%), and Indonesia (36%). • Security Risk & Precautions: Despite rapid adoption, cybersecurity practices remain inconsistent: • Only 45% consistently take protective measures. • 51% take precautions only occasionally, led by China (60%) and Malaysia (54%), compared to Indonesia's lowest at 43%. • Economic Context & Modern Skills: Growing adoption across ICT/BPM, education, and digital services underscores the need for safe digital habits alongside tech proficiency. Oversharing sensitive details—such as financial credentials or passwords—presents privacy risks. Kaspersky recommends verifying AI outputs and deploying cyberhygiene practices. _Based on provisional survey data of 7,200 respondents across 18 countries (March 2026)._