Key Points
- The Singapore government is investing over $778 million in public AI research through 2030.
- The funding will focus on responsible AI and developing local talent.
- The country has already invested heavily in AI infrastructure and R&D.
- Singapore is home to “Sea-Lion,” an open-source LLM for Southeast Asian languages.
The Singaporean government is doubling down on artificial intelligence, announcing a massive new investment of over S$1 billion ($778.8 million) in public AI research through 2030. The move is designed to boost the nation’s AI capabilities and keep it competitive on the global stage.
The new funding will be targeted at specific priority areas, including the development of “responsible and resource-efficient” AI. A significant portion of the money will also go toward nurturing local talent, from pre-university students to university faculty.
This is just the latest in a series of major AI investments from the Singaporean government. In 2024, the country set aside S$500 million to AI research and development through its national AI program, AI Singapore.
One of the most notable projects to come out of that program is “Sea-Lion,” an open-source large language model that is specifically designed for Southeast Asian languages. Major companies in the region have already adopted the model, and a new version was released in October that was built on top of a model from China’s Alibaba.
This latest billion-dollar investment is a clear signal that Singapore is serious about becoming a major player in the global AI race. By investing in research, infrastructure, and talent, the country is laying the groundwork for a future in which it can not only adopt AI but also help shape it.
