Google.org commits $6 million to scam training and AI defenses in Asia Pacific

People and small businesses in Asia Pacific are the intended beneficiaries of a $6 million Google.org funding commitment to The Asia Foundation and the Tech for Good Institute. Announced November 3, 2026, the commitment backs work at the community, technology and policy levels, rather than funding only a single type of scam protection.

Three uses for the funding

• Community training: Local communities will receive training intended to build scam resilience. This strand focuses on people and their ability to stay safe online, putting education alongside the development of technical protections.
• AI-defense prototypes: The funding will support the incubation of AI-powered defenses—experimental tools at the development stage. The technical work is one component of the commitment, not its sole focus.
• Policy insights: Policymakers will receive insights intended to strengthen measures against scam threats. That gives the funded work an institutional audience as well as the individuals and small businesses it is intended to help.

These are planned activities, not reported results. The announcement does not specify how the funding will be divided between the two organizations or when the prototypes might become available.

Up to $114.1 billionScam losses in 2025

Google, citing a recent UN report, put scam losses across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand at up to $114.1 billion in 2025.

Google also cited the UN report in saying more than 40% of ASEAN consumers were experiencing scams. That figure describes consumer exposure, while the dollar estimate measures financial losses. Their geographic reach differs, too: the consumer figure covers ASEAN, while the loss estimate spans East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Neither figure is a count of people or businesses the new funding will reach.