Singapore, a thriving technological hub, is set to supercharge its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities with a hefty investment plan worth over $740 million in the next five years. This ambitious initiative, unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his recent Budget speech, aims to fortify Singapore’s standing as a premier destination for innovation and business on the global stage.
According to tech executives, this strategic move holds immense potential to propel Singapore’s economy forward, enabling businesses to harness the transformative power of AI effectively. Nithin Chandra, managing partner of Southeast Asia at Kearney, emphasized the significance of this investment, noting that it could bridge the gap between businesses and AI transformation, thus unlocking new opportunities for growth.
DPM Wong highlighted the crucial role of advanced chips in AI development and deployment, underlining Singapore’s commitment to securing access to these essential components. Additionally, Singapore intends to collaborate with leading companies worldwide to establish AI centers of excellence, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and knowledge sharing.
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Jonathon Dixon, vice president and managing director of APAC at Cloudflare, lauded this initiative for incentivizing companies to embrace AI solutions, prioritize skill development, and forge strategic partnerships, thereby fueling innovation across industries.
Singapore’s proactive approach towards AI isn’t new; the nation unveiled its AI plan back in 2019, with the recent launch of the National AI Strategy 2.0 further solidifying its commitment to harnessing AI’s potential. Mao Gen Foo, head of Southeast Asia at Qualtrics, hailed this sustained focus on AI as pivotal for Singapore’s growth as a leading business and innovation hub.
Pannie Sia, general manager of ASEAN at Workday, emphasized the importance of Singapore’s continued emphasis on AI and machine learning, asserting its role in enhancing technological advancements and attracting businesses and talent in an increasingly digitalized world.
Furthermore, Singapore has taken strides in promoting responsible AI usage with initiatives like AI Verify, the world’s first AI governance testing framework. This framework, introduced in May 2022, empowers companies to ensure the responsible deployment of AI models, garnering positive feedback from industry giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
Sujith Abraham, senior vice president and general manager of ASEAN at Salesforce, commended Singapore’s commitment to fostering a trusted and responsible AI ecosystem. He stressed the importance of reassuring consumers about data safety and ethical AI practices as adoption rates soar.
As Singapore continues to invest in AI capabilities and governance, the nation is poised to not only solidify its position as a global AI hub but also set a benchmark for responsible AI utilization, paving the way for sustainable technological advancement in the digital era.
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