Meta helps small APAC businesses scale with AI tools

Meta is rolling out across Asia Pacific its Small Business Growth Academy to help small businesses move scale with digital and AI-enabled tools.

The initiative has three objectives: help firms find customers, improve productivity and grow across borders through practical training and partner support.

Delivered in collaboration with governments, chambers of commerce and local partners, the academy will launch in 12 Asia-Pacific countries, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

It will support thousands of businesses through in-person workshops, scaled learning modules and partner-led training. The training will focus on tools such as AI-enabled advertising, Reels, WhatsApp for Business, cross-border commerce, and Meta Business Agent.

Research from Deloitte’s AI For Business: APAC Trends shows that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the region are embracing AI, but many still need more support to unlock its full potential. About 78 percent of SMEs surveyed in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam already use at least one AI tool, while 82 percent plan to adopt more in the near future. Nearly three in four believe AI helps level the playing field with larger businesses, and 86 percent said it improves productivity and reduces costs.

“The Small Business Growth Academy is about giving more businesses and entrepreneurs the practical skills and support they need to adopt tools like our Business Agents confidently, compete more effectively, and take part in the opportunities being created by the AI and the digital economy,” said Beth Ann Eliason-Lim, Director Public Policy Strategy APAC of Meta.