AI investments in Singapore over the last 12 months
(From left) Grab chief technology officer Suthen Thomas, Grab chief executive Anthony Tan, DPM Gan Kim Yong, then Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat and Grab chief operating officer Alex Hungate at the launch of Grab's AI centre of excellence in May.
SINGAPORE - Some of the world's biggest tech 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 firms that have launched AI centres in Singapore in the last two years.
1. NUS, Google – August 2025
National University of Singapore and Google announce 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
opens its Microsoft Research Asia lab in Singapore , its first in South-east 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 opens 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 Singapore University of Social Sciences to develop AI solutions and nurture tech talent.
4. BDx Data Centres and Anyon Technologies – July 2025
Data centre firm BDx and quantum computing provider Anyon Technologies jointly launch South-east Asia's hybrid quantum AI hub in Singapore. The hub will allow enterprises to explore quantum-enhanced AI applications, and it aligns with Singapore's Green Plan 2030 by incorporating sustainable infrastructure.
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5. Tata Consultancy Services – July 2025
The IT services and consulting firm
launches a new innovation centre in Singapore to allow the firm's customers and partners – including 60 SMEs and start-ups – to develop AI solutions for business challenges. It will also employ 50 fresh graduates in roles such as data science and cyber security to support the centre's operations.
6. Kyndryl – June 2025
IT infrastructure provider Kyndryl
launches 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 South-east Asia.
7. Grab – May 2025
Grab
launches its Grab AI Centre of Excellence at Grab HQ@one-north. Supported by Digital Industry Singapore, the centre aims to accelerate AI-driven solutions in South-east Asia. It will create 50 high value jobs in the product, engineering, data science and analytics fields.
8. BHP – May 2025
Mining giant BHP
opens its AI Lab in Singapore to accelerate AI adoption in the mining and resources sector. The launch is 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 establishes its AI & Digital Innovation Centre in Singapore with a US$4 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
launches its AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore , which will provide organisations access to training on the latest cloud and AI technologies. 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 establishes 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 USD $3 billion investment to advance AI adoption.
12. Prudential - November 2024
Financial services firm Prudential launches its Prudential AI Lab in Singapore to accelerate the adoption of AI across the organisation. Since its soft launch in August, Prudential has received over 100 AI use cases from across 24 markets in Asia and Africa.
The organisation has also partnered with institutes of higher learning such as National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, Republic Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic to nurture the next generation of AI talent.
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