Agoda Report: Developers Are Learning AI Faster Than Companies Can Train Them
The Agoda AI Developer Report 2025 reveals a striking trend across Asia’s tech landscape: developers are teaching themselves AI skills at a pace that outstrips organizational training programs, leading to rapid growth but also highlighting inequalities in access and support.
AI has become a major driver of career development and learning priorities. According to the report, 87% of developers have shifted their learning or career paths because of AI, and 62% believe AI will ultimately create more job opportunities than it eliminates. Yet most developers are progressing independently—72% are self-taught, while just 28% rely on employer-led training.
Peer Learning Takes the Lead
With structured programs struggling to keep up with the speed of technological change, peer communities are stepping in. More than 52% of developers turn to online communities and open-source projects as their primary learning channels, fostering a culture powered by shared experimentation, collaboration, and rapid skill-building.
Unequal Access and Confidence Gaps
The report also points to disparities in training access and confidence:
- Developers in Singapore are almost twice as likely as those in Vietnam to have access to formal AI training.
- There is a 25-point confidence gap between senior and junior developers, underscoring the need for better mentorship and structured support systems.
Despite enthusiasm, the pressure to keep up is intense. 44% of developers worry about falling behind as AI evolves, and 58% now consider AI skills a baseline requirement for hiring. The result is a workforce that is ambitious and rapidly adapting, but also unevenly supported and feeling the strain.
Industry Response and the Path Forward
“Developers across the region see AI as a tool to accelerate their work—not replace human judgment—and they’re upskilling faster than many organizations can respond,” said Idan Zalzberg, CTO at Agoda. “To sustain this momentum, companies must build systems of trust and accountability.”
Agoda is investing in such systems through initiatives that strengthen both internal talent and the broader tech ecosystem. These include:
- Internal AI hackathons for experimentation with emerging tools,
- Regular tech talks and knowledge-sharing sessions to enhance peer learning,
- Tech Camp Day, a program providing essential skills to thousands of students in Thailand.
These efforts demonstrate Agoda’s commitment to empowering local tech communities, fostering innovation, and supporting long-term talent growth.
Regional Insights and Future Outlook
The Agoda AI Developer Report 2025 is based on input from developers across Southeast Asia and India, plus insights from major regional companies including Carousell, MoMo, Omise, and SCB 10x. Together, these findings offer a comprehensive view of how AI adoption is reshaping the developer experience and what the future of tech learning may look like.