AI is the fastest adopted technology in history, outpacing the internet and smartphones. Thanks to its intuitive natural language interfaces, hyper-personalized outputs, and versatility across use cases, from content creation to problem-solving, AI is no longer a niche; it’s a second brain for the masses. The consumer internet industry faces a shakeup moment: sectors like finance, e-commerce, travel, and food are seeing AI perform tasks such as investment advice, product recommendations, or trip planning better or on par with consumer internet. Consequently, traditional intermediary roles face potential disintermediation as AI facilitates direct connections. To remain competitive, consumer internet players in SEA must strategically integrate and build AI-first operating models.