AS we head into 2020, a decade of change and transformation is upon us, one that is underpinned by the growing importance of data. As we learn to create more value with data, digital skills will determine the success of individuals, businesses and entire economies in a future that is now defined by technology.

South-east Asia offers us a clear illustration of the importance of a skilled digital workforce. The region's digital economy is booming, and the integration of intraregional trade is set to deliver a $1 trillion rise in GDP in Asean within the next five years. While the future looks bright for Asean, there is a crucial obstacle the region must overcome - the need to equip its workforce with the right skills in an age where data is the new oil. This is not just Asean's problem, it is a global challenge as well. McKinsey estimates that by 2030, as many as 375 million workers globally - 14 per cent of the global workforce - will need to change their occupational categories and learn new skills to adapt to automation and digital transformation.

In this new digital paradigm, Asean businesses and governments must find new ways to inspire their workforce to find meaning in data, embracing new digital skillsets in the workplace and beyond.