Singapore Invests $778 Million in AI Research to Boost Regional Dominance
Singapore has committed over S$778 million to artificial intelligence research over the next six years, targeting energy-efficient systems, workforce training, and business adoption. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information aims to solidify the city-state's position as an AI hub, building on previous investments in computing infrastructure and talent development.
The funding follows a S$500 million allocation in 2023 for AI-capable supercomputers and another S$500 million for AI Singapore, a national program. Researchers under this initiative previously developed Sea-Lion, a multilingual language model supporting Southeast Asian languages, with Indonesian tech giant GoTo among early adopters.
Regional competition intensifies as Australia launches its National AI Plan 2025, while Japan passed comprehensive AI legislation earlier this year. These developments signal a broader Asian push for technological sovereignty in artificial intelligence.