From Google to Alibaba: AI investments in Singapore over the last 12 months
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(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.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
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SINGAPORE – 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
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 South-east 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
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
7. Grab – May 2025
Grab launched its Grab AI Centre of Excellence
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
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
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.
