How Grab Is Driving the Future of Tech and Community Across ASEAN

If you’ve ever ordered GrabFood after a long day, booked a Grab ride in rush hour, or sent a parcel across town, you’ve played a part in one of Southeast Asia’s biggest digital success stories. But behind every delivery and every ride, there are millions of driver- and delivery-partners who power the Grab ecosystem — and now, their stories are taking centre stage.

Celebrating the People Behind the Platform

Grab Malaysia recently premiered a new web series, Rakan Grab Jelajah ASEAN, in collaboration with KS Lagi. The series highlights the incredible journeys of Grab’s driver- and delivery-partners who are shaping the future of tech and community across ASEAN.

In support of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, the three-part series follows host Shahril Hamdan and three Malaysian Grab partners — Muhamad Aiman Bin Muhamad Shamsudin, Christine Wee Seow Ling, and Muhamad Syukri Bin Ghazali — as they travel through Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

For many of them, it was their first time visiting these countries, discovering shared experiences among fellow Grab partners who, just like them, balance work, family, and ambition while driving innovation in their local communities. “Even though our cities are different, the spirit is the same,” said driver-partner Muhamad Syukri. “It’s inspiring to see how technology connects all of us in that shared journey.”

Each episode of Rakan Grab Jelajah ASEAN showcases how Grab co-creates with its partners, tapping into their real-world experiences to build hyperlocal, tech-driven solutions for the region.

You can watch all three episodes exclusively on KS Lagi’s social media platforms.

Innovation Inspired by Everyday Journeys

Grab’s commitment to its partners goes far beyond the roads. The company has long believed that the best innovation comes from the ground up — from people who live, work and serve their communities daily.

As Adelene Foo, Managing Director of Grab Malaysia, explains, “Our driver- and delivery-partners are the pulse of our ecosystem. They understand their cities and customers better than anyone else, and their experiences directly inspire the technology we build.”

That philosophy has led to innovations like:

• AI Driver Companion – helps driver-partners find demand faster and navigate more efficiently.

• AI Merchant Assistant – supports small business owners with smart tools that streamline operations and boost growth.

• GrabMaps – an AI-powered, hyperlocal mapping platform built using insights from Grab’s partners for improved accuracy and routing.

These advancements reflect ASEAN’s growing focus on integrating artificial intelligence into national strategies — ensuring that technology remains accessible and beneficial to everyone, not just the tech-savvy.

Building an Inclusive and Sustainable Future

Grab’s vision extends beyond innovation — it’s about inclusivity and sustainability. The company continues to create meaningful earning opportunities for all, including women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), while aligning with Malaysia’s goals to promote EV adoption and gig worker protection. “Behind every ride and delivery are real people and livelihoods,” Adelene Foo adds. “Our responsibility is to ensure technology drives inclusion and opportunity for all communities.”

A Shared ASEAN Vision

As Malaysia passes the ASEAN Chairmanship baton to the Philippines, Grab reaffirms its mission to future-proof livelihoods and strengthen regional collaboration. Working closely with local governments, the company is committed to ensuring that its partners’ livelihoods are not only protected — but thrive in the digital era.

So the next time your GrabFood order arrives piping hot, or your Grab driver gets you to your destination right on time, remember — behind the screen are real people shaping the future of how Southeast Asia connects, moves and grows together.