Why Singapore is a hub in Asia for AI and tech innovation

As one of the world’s most AI-ready economies¹ and the top in Asia for ICT infrastructure², Singapore is a trusted hub for global businesses when it comes to digital innovation and advancing AI adoption. Tech and non-tech companies alike leverage Singapore’s facilitative regulatory environment, clear policies, skilled talent pool and vibrant digital ecosystem to develop and scale products for global expansion.

A trusted and vibrant AI ecosystem

Singapore’s thriving digital ecosystem has attracted 80 of the world’s top 100 technology firms³ to establish a presence here, with many setting up global or regional headquarters. OpenAI recently chose Singapore as its Asia-Pacific base, citing the conducive business environment, large user base and strong tech culture as key reasons.

Since the launch of the National AI Strategy 2.0 in December 2023, Singapore has partnered companies across industries to set up over 50 AI Centres of Excellence, and is home to more than 4,500 tech start-ups.

From manufacturing to services, companies are harnessing AI to transform processes and operations, and develop new products and solutions. They are supported by programmes such as the S$150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI). Announced in February 2025, the ECI accelerates AI adoption across the economy by giving companies access to AI resources and consultancy services from major cloud service providers to drive business transformation.

At the same time, Singapore is actively growing its local AI talent pool and welcoming top-tier global talent with complementary skills. Through national initiatives like AI Singapore, students and employees can get training and hands-on experience in areas like machine learning, deep learning and software engineering. By 2029, Singapore aims to develop 15,000 skilled AI professionals to meet industry demand.

Developing agentic systems at HEINEKEN's Global GenAI Lab

The HEINEKEN Company is among the many global businesses harnessing Singapore’s AI ecosystem to fuel innovation, having launched its first and only Global Generative AI (GenAI) Lab in collaboration with AI Singapore in March 2025.

Executives and partners pose at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Heineken’s Global GenAI Lab official launch in Singapore on 19 March 2025, standing in front of a branded digital backdrop with Heineken and AI Singapore logos.

Foundational GenAI capabilities developed at the Singapore lab have already been scaled globally to over 70 markets, delivering efficiency gains and enhancing customer engagement. For example, through the use of GenAI, HEINEKEN has been able to streamline marketing asset creation, reduce marketing spend, and enable hyper-localised campaigns. Early pilots have achieved a 20 to 30 per cent faster turnaround of marketing materials and fewer revision cycles.

Three team members stand smiling behind an “AI Singapore” sign inside a modern open-plan office, with workstations and employees visible in the background.

Partnering with AI Singapore has given HEINEKEN access to advanced technical expertise, including large language models and vision models that process images and videos. The collaboration helps HEINEKEN accelerate proof-of-concept development and boost research and innovation capabilities.

"By harnessing Singapore’s exceptional AI ecosystem, skilled talent and supportive government policies, we are excited to drive the development of innovative solutions that will transform the beverage industry for years to come."

Kenneth Choo
Managing Director, APAC
HEINEKEN

HEINEKEN’s Global GenAI Lab builds on the company’s extensive operations in Singapore, which include its Asia-Pacific headquarters and Global Innovation Hub, established in collaboration with EDB two years ago.

Discover how global businesses are scaling AI solutions across Southeast Asia from Singapore

AI-powered innovation at Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services consulting, and business solutions that has been in Singapore for over 40 years, established its AI-Powered Research & Innovation Centre here in July 2025. Located within TCS’ Asia-Pacific office, the innovation centre is part of TCS Space Port, the company’s global network of innovation hubs and the first such hub in Asia.

Interior of TCS Pace Port Singapore with a large branded wall on the left and professionals networking and conversing in a modern event space on the right.

Focusing on areas like renewable energy, green manufacturing, and intelligent supply chains, the hub is partnering businesses across Asia-Pacific to accelerate innovation using AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things and advanced analytics.

TCS is also looking to tap on the vibrant AI and innovation ecosystem here, including industrial, manufacturing and financial services firms, to improve operational efficiency using AI tools. Since the centre's opening, TCS has already started developing AI solutions in collaboration with 60 local SMEs and start-ups, helping them scale their operations and tackle complex challenges.

Group of executives and partners at the launch of the TCS AI-Powered Research and Innovation Centre, standing around a ceremonial digital globe display inside a modern TCS event space.

"Singapore’s position as a leading hub for technology, finance, and innovation makes it an ideal launchpad for the TCS AI-Powered Research & Innovation Centre. This new AI centre will connect Singapore with other innovation hubs, enabling cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange, strengthening Singapore’s position as a hub for emerging technologies."

Girish Ramachandran
President – Growth Markets
TCS

Driving AI innovation at Microsoft Research Asia – Singapore lab

In July, Microsoft launched its first AI research lab in Southeast Asia – Microsoft Research Asia – Singapore (MSRA Singapore) – to drive AI innovation across industries such as healthcare, logistics and finance.

A key node in Microsoft’s global research network, MSRA Singapore will pursue breakthroughs in AI foundations and industry applications, building upon Microsoft’s decades of collaboration with Singapore’s research community, government and industry players on topics spanning cloud‑native computing, digital governance and large‑scale AI systems.

In addition, MSRA Singapore is nurturing AI talent such as PhD students in partnership with the National University of Singapore through the Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP) supported by the EDB. MSRA Singapore also works closely with Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University on fundamental and applied research.

Microsoft executives and partners pose on stage at the Microsoft Research Asia – Singapore grand opening ceremony, standing behind a podium with a commemorative plaque and event backdrop.

"Singapore plays a critical role in our global research strategy. Its leadership in science, engineering and digital governance, along with its strong culture of public-private-academic collaboration, makes it an ideal environment for advancing inclusive and impactful AI. Through this lab, we are investing in long-term collaborations that accelerate discovery and bring real-world solutions to the region."

Peter Lee
President
Microsoft Research

In partnership with Digital Industry Singapore, Microsoft has also launched an agentic AI accelerator under the Enterprise Compute Initiative. The programme will provide Azure cloud credits, AI training, and tools to up to 300 Singapore-based businesses, supporting their agentic AI transformation and delivering tangible outcomes.

Unlock digital opportunities with a hub in Singapore

Alongside HEINEKEN, TCS, and Microsoft, AI consulting firm Tomoro and Swiss high-tech company Enclustra also launched their Asia-Pacific and Asia headquarters respectively in Singapore in 2025.

The convergence of a trusted business environment, thriving AI ecosystem, and strong government support makes Singapore the ideal hub for companies to establish regional and global centres for AI and digital innovation.

Explore the AI-powered opportunities your company can benefit from in Singapore

Footnote:

¹Singapore Venture Funding Landscape 2024: www.edb.gov.sg/en/why-singapore/singapore-connectivity-and-infrastructure.html

²IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025: www.go.gov.sg/imdwcr2025

³Global Connectivity and Future-ready Infrastructure: www.edb.gov.sg/en/why-singapore/singapore-connectivity-and-infrastructure.html