According to a recent report from Fortune published on September 6, 2026, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) retains the capability to navigate its strategic positioning between the United States and China in the field of artificial intelligence. However, the analysis emphasizes that the region must first improve its internal cohesion and organization to effectively execute this hedging strategy. As global competition in artificial intelligence intensifies between the two superpowers, ASEAN's ability to unify its approach will be crucial in determining its technological independence and economic stability moving forward.