SINGAPORE: Singapore has announced a major push to cement its position as a global artificial intelligence research hub, unveiling plans to invest over S$1 billion ($779 million) in public AI research through 2030. The five-year commitment represents the nation’s most ambitious AI research initiative to date as it seeks to compete with dominant US and Chinese players in the rapidly evolving field.
Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo revealed the funding at Singapore AI Research Week on January 24, describing it as critical to strengthening national capabilities and maintaining global competitiveness. The investment will be drawn from the government’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise plans for 2025 and 2030, administered by the National Research Foundation.
The funding marks Singapore’s second major AI research tranche, following an initial investment exceeding $500 million between 2019 and 2023. The new allocation focuses on three strategic pillars: fundamental AI research, applied AI development, and comprehensive talent cultivation from pre-university through faculty levels.
Central to the initiative is the establishment of Research Centres of Excellence within public institutions, bringing together established researchers and emerging talent to tackle complex, long-term challenges.
These centers will concentrate on four priority areas including resource – efficient AI systems designed to reduce computational demands and energy consumption, responsible AI frameworks guarding against malicious applications, emerging methodologies for more flexible intelligence systems, and general-purpose AI capable of handling diverse tasks across multiple domains.
The investment will also support applied AI research targeting real-world applications in manufacturing, healthcare, urban planning, and sustainability. Teo highlighted Jewel at Changi Airport as a practical example, where AI powers security screening, automated baggage systems, and robotic inspection and cleaning operations.
Complementing the research infrastructure, funding will nurture AI engineering capabilities to translate theoretical advances into practical systems and applications. The AI Visiting Professorship program, which supports collaborative projects with world-class overseas researchers, will continue receiving support after launching in 2024 with eight initial projects.
The announcement positions Singapore among nations racing to secure AI leadership, joining countries like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in deploying significant capital to develop homegrown AI capabilities and prevent industrial disruption from the technology revolution.
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