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From Google to Alibaba: AI investments in Singapore over the last 12 months

From Google to Alibaba: AI investments in Singapore over the last 12 months

Over the last year, Singapore has seen tech giants and global MNCs like Google, Microsoft, and more, launch their AI centres of excellence here.

Group of five men giving thumbs up at the launch of Grab's AI Centre of Excellence, standing in front of a vibrant green digital-themed backdrop with labeled pillars for Community, Grabbers, Government, and Partners.

Some of the world’s biggest technology giants and multinational corporations have established artificial intelligence (AI) centres of excellence in Singapore, citing the country’s business-friendly conditions.

These centres aim to spur AI adoption among enterprises, nurture talent, and advance the development of AI tools.

Below are the notable businesses and entities that have launched AI centres in Singapore recently.
 

1. NUS, Google – August 2025

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Google announced plans to set up a joint research and innovation centre.

The collaboration includes an AI talent development programme and a Google-supported professorship to promote faculty leadership in AI-related fields.
 

2. Microsoft – July 2025

Microsoft opened its Microsoft Research Asia lab in Singapore, its first in Southeast Asia. The Singapore lab builds on Microsoft Research Asia’s five-year collaboration agreement with NUS to support AI research and nurture computing talent in the region.
 

3. Alibaba Cloud – July 2025

Alibaba Cloud opened its AI innovation hub in Singapore, which will support more than 5,000 businesses and 100,000 developers globally. Alibaba is working with local universities such as Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore University of Social Sciences to develop AI solutions and nurture tech talent.
 

4. BDx Data Centres and Anyon Technologies – July 2025

Data centre company BDx and quantum computing infrastructure provider Anyon Technologies jointly launched Southeast Asia’s hybrid quantum AI hub in Singapore. The hub will allow enterprises to explore quantum-enhanced AI applications, and aligns with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 by incorporating sustainable infrastructure.
 

5. Tata Consultancy Services – July 2025

The information technology services and consulting firm launched a new innovation centre in Singapore to enable its customers and partners – including 60 small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups – to develop AI solutions for business challenges.

It will also employ 50 fresh graduates for roles in areas such as data science and cyber security to support the centre’s operations.
 

6. Kyndryl – June 2025

IT infrastructure provider Kyndryl launched its ASEAN AI Innovation Lab in Singapore, which will employ approximately 50 local AI specialists, including data scientists, data engineers, and AI developers. It aims to develop AI solutions for enterprises with advanced security features across Southeast Asia.
 

7. Grab – May 2025

Grab launched its Grab AI Centre of Excellence at its headquarters in one-north. Supported by Digital Industry Singapore, the centre aims to accelerate AI-driven solutions in Southeast Asia.

It will create 50 high-value jobs in the product, engineering, data science, and analytics fields.
 

8. BHP – May 2025

Mining giant BHP opened its AI Lab in Singapore to accelerate AI adoption in the mining and resources sector. The launch was in partnership with AI Singapore and supported by Enterprise Singapore, marking a milestone in Singapore’s role as a metals and minerals trading hub.
 

9. PwC – April 2025

Professional services firm PwC established its AI and digital innovation centre in Singapore with a US$4 million (S$5.1 million) commitment. The hub, supported by the Economic Development Board (EDB), aims to leverage AI to scale solutions for PwC’s clients and power AI adoption for close to 4,000 people across the firm.
 

10. Oracle – March 2025

Oracle launched its AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore, which will provide organisations with access to training on the latest cloud and AI tech. It will also support experimentation and implementation of AI solutions. Its partners include Accenture, Deloitte, Digital Realty, NCS, NTUC LearningHub, PwC, and ST Engineering.
 

11. Accenture – November 2024

Accenture established its AI Refinery Engineering Hub in Singapore, supported by EDB. The hub is an extension of Accenture’s Centre for Advanced AI in Singapore and is part of its global US$3 billion investment to advance AI adoption.
 

12. Prudential – November 2024

Financial services firm Prudential launched its Prudential AI Lab in Singapore to accelerate the adoption of AI across the organisation. From the lab’s soft launch in August 2024 to November the same year, Prudential received over 100 AI use cases from across 24 markets in Asia and Africa. The organisation has also partnered institutes of higher learning such as NUS, Singapore Management University, Republic Polytechnic, and Singapore Polytechnic to nurture the next generation of AI talent.
 


Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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