Brunei Darussalam has officially commenced the national implementation of the artificial intelligence, AI for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME Advancement in ASEAN or the AIM ASEAN programme. It is a regional initiative aimed at equipping local businesses with practical AI capabilities to operate more efficiently, make better decisions, and strengthen long-term competitiveness. It is coordinated by the Brunei Economic Development Board, BEDB, targeting 550 MSMEs across various sectors by May 2027.

By focusing on practical use cases, the programme positions AI as an accessible and cost-effective business tool. This includes AI-powered chatbots; managing inventory, sales, and operational data more efficiently; and using data insights to support better planning, pricing, and growth decisions. It will be delivered through 11 structured cohorts, in which MSMEs will be provided with sustained, step-by-step support to progressively build their AI capabilities and drive business growth.