Business leaders in the Asia-Pacific region express strong confidence in their ability to navigate issues like artificial intelligence ( AI ) and cybersecurity risk, even as governance structures and succession planning processes continue to evolve, according to a recent report.

Technology-related issues are central to the leadership agenda across Asia-Pacific, finds executive advisory firm Heidrick & Struggles’ 2026 CEO & Board Confidence Monitor report, which is based on a survey of 254 business leaders in Asia-Pacific.

Notably, 44% of survey respondents identified AI as one of the most significant issues their organizations expect to face in 2026, while 39% cited cybersecurity risk, higher than the 31% global average. Economic uncertainty and volatility are also identified as a major issue by 44% of respondents, lower than the global average at 57%.

Despite these concerns, leaders across Asia-Pacific report relatively strong confidence in their organizations’ ability to manage emerging risks. In fact, 50% of respondents say they are confident in their organizations’ ability to manage AI, the highest level among the five regions surveyed and above the 39% global average. Similarly, 55% report confidence in managing cybersecurity risk, compared with 51% globally.

However, the findings also highlight areas where governance practices continue to develop. While 75% of respondents in Asia-Pacific express confidence in their executive leadership teams for 2026, fewer report confidence in governance mechanisms designed to position organizations well for the future.

And, only 55% say they are confident in their board evaluation and refreshment practices, compared with 47% globally, the survey notes, while 54% express confidence in their CEO succession planning processes, compared with 41% globally.

“Technology is reshaping organizations faster than governance structures can keep pace with,” says Jiat-Hui Wu, the advisory firm’s partner-in-charge for Singapore. “The leaders who will define this region’s next chapter are those who can steer through current pressures without losing sight of where they need to take their organizations tomorrow.”

Guy Farrow, the firm’s regional managing partner of the CEO and board of directors practice for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, adds: “Even as organizations grow more confident in managing technological risk, a more uncertain geopolitical environment is testing leadership readiness. “With only half of CEOs and boards confident in their leadership refreshment and succession processes, organizations need to strengthen governance and ensure they are planning effectively for the next generation of leadership.”