OpenAI has chosen Singapore for its first Applied AI Lab outside the United States as part of a new S$300 million partnership with the government.
The OpenAI for Singapore initiative was announced at the ATx Summit and will support the country’s National AI Strategy.
The partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information will focus on three areas: helping organisations use advanced AI, building local AI talent and widening access to AI tools across the economy.
The new Applied AI Lab will create more than 200 technical roles in Singapore over the next few years.
OpenAI will also make Singapore one of its global hubs for Forward-Deployed Engineers.
These engineers work directly with companies to apply AI to business and operational challenges.
The lab will support projects tied to Singapore’s AI Mission priorities, including public service, finance, healthcare and digital infrastructure.
“We’re excited to partner with Singapore as it builds on its position as a global leader in AI. Singapore has strong technical talent, trusted institutions, and a clear ambition to use AI to drive long-term growth and improve people’s lives.
Through OpenAI for Singapore, we want to help more organisations benefit from frontier AI, support the next generation of local AI talent, and widen access to these tools across the country.”
said Denise Dresser, Chief Revenue Officer at OpenAI.
OpenAI for Singapore will also include programmes to build AI skills locally.
This includes work with the Ministry of Education and GovTech on AI-enabled learning tools, including support for Mother Tongue language learning.
The company will also support educators through a Singapore chapter of the OpenAI Academy and Codex for Teachers hackathons.
It also plans to launch a Forward-Deployed Engineer training programme and participate in the National AI Impact Programme, including through the use of Codex, to deepen AI capabilities across the technology workforce.
OpenAI will work with local partners to explore accelerator programmes for AI-native startups and workshops for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The initiative will focus on practical AI adoption, including helping founders build with AI and supporting SMEs in areas such as operations and customer service.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Magnific
