NUS students to get AI experience at new lab focusing on energy efficiency

SINGAPORE – National University of Singapore (NUS) students can now gain hands-on experience in artificial intelligence (AI) through internships and career pathways in a new lab that uses the technology to help businesses cut energy use.

The Global Impact AI Lab, launched on Oct 28 by Singapore-based Univers, will help companies use AI to lower their carbon emissions, as well as improve reliability and productivity.

This aims to benefit sectors such as energy and utilities by enhancing grid optimisation and renewable energy performance, as well as public and enterprise infrastructure, by improving building and facility efficiency.

Univers is a decarbonisation software firm whose products include EnOS Cloud, a customised energy management platform that leverages AI and the internet of things to help organisations optimise operations and reduce emissions across facilities and fleets.

The firm led the consortium behind Singapore’s first floating energy storage system, located at offshore and marine company Seatrium’s Pioneer Yard. It is also part of a consortium building a smart grid in the Punggol Digital District with local electricity generator and retailer PacificLight Power.

Professor Bernard Tan, NUS’ senior vice-provost for undergraduate education, said: “Through the Global Impact AI Lab, our students will gain hands-on experience, mentorship and opportunities to apply their learning to address real-world challenges, helping to shape the next generation of AI-ready talent,” he added.

Univers will also partner the university on applied research.

Microsoft, another partner in the Global Impact AI Lab, will lend its cloud and AI capabilities to help industrial and energy-efficiency solutions scale globally.

AMD will provide its high-performance AI hardware to power edge intelligence – the local processing of data on devices – in addition to real-time analytics.

Meanwhile, the Infocomm Media Development Authority will advise Univers on responsible and sustainable AI practices, focused on trust and governance.

Univers will oversee the strategy, operations and delivery of all projects, while its partners will contribute to specific research and development streams.

Its office here will serve as the lab’s headquarters and “living lab”, where new prototypes are tested and industry-academia collaborations are managed.

The lab operates on a co-investment model, where Univers and its partners share the cost of developing and scaling solutions. 

Attending the launch event on Oct 28 was Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How, who noted that the new lab will bring together ecosystem partners working on energy and AI.

“It exemplifies the kind of transformation we are looking at for our economy, greening our economy and at the same time, harnessing the power of AI,” he said.

The launch was held at the Koma Singapore restaurant in Marina Bay Sands, as part of the company’s One Univers executive luncheon.

The event featured thought leaders and executives from companies such as DBS, HSBC and Keppel – which are among Univers’ clients – speaking on the topics of AI and energy.

Univers global senior vice-president Mak Chun Yin said that while there will be a physical lab here, the Global Impact AI Lab will also operate virtually, allowing access to a global network of expertise.

In the longer term, the lab will serve the company’s clients around the world, Mr Mak noted.

“We believe it creates this nucleus of innovation and invention for us here in Singapore, for the world,” he said, adding that Univers is also in talks with about five other companies to collaborate on the new initiative.