AI Readiness and Digital Economy Development in Myanmar: A Strategic Secondary-Data Assessment

Abstract

This study assesses Myanmar's preparedness to develop the digital economy with the support of AI in the context of connectivity disparities, weak institutional capabilities and significant inclusion and resilience challenges. A multi-source secondary data evidence base combines evidence on internet disruption from the World Bank, evidence of device access and affordability from the World Bank, the Myanmar Digital Economy Roadmap 2030, and indicators of digital adoption from DataReportal and the Government AI Readiness Index 2025, as measured at the end of 2025. This analysis uses descriptive benchmarking, an ASEAN peer comparison, policy to gap mapping and a qualitative priority matrix, but is not causal in estimating the impact of artificial intelligence on economic growth. At the end of 2025, there were 39.8 million internet users and 72.5% internet penetration rate in Myanmar, while 15.1 million were offline. Mobile connectivity was widespread, with 62.5 million connections and 96.8% of connections being broadband capable. Compared to the previous year, mobile connections decreased 2.0 per cent and there were 62.5 million connections. The country was 173th among 195 governments in terms of AI readiness. Myanmar was at the 173th position of 195 governments in terms of AI readiness. The unweighted mean of the six pillars was 19.12 for it, and 55.48 for the ASEAN peers, with the greatest gaps in the governance and policy capacity pillars. The official roadmap conceptually links with these weaknesses in terms of the infrastructure, government, cyber security, inclusion, skills, innovation and legal framework pillars but outcomes of implementation are not yet provided by the evidence selected. The paper outlines a phased approach with priority actions focused on institutional capacity, trustworthy data systems, skills, resilient infrastructure, targeted sectoral pilots and inclusive scaling. The results reveal that Myanmar has a significant digital access foundation, but development with AI will require a greater emphasis on governance, capacity, continuity, and equitable access to the digital space than connectivity.