First up, from CNBC, May 19:
Singapore inks AI deals with Google, OpenAI as ChatGPT-maker commits $234 million to local ecosystem
- OpenAI committed 300 million Singapore dollars and launched its first overseas AI lab in Singapore.
- Google expanded AI cooperation into education, healthcare and scientific research.
- Singapore deepened its AI push as it sought a larger role in global deployment.
Singapore has inked separate agreements with Google and OpenAI to strengthen its position as a global artificial intelligence hub and accelerate AI deployment across public services, healthcare, education and enterprise.
The agreements, announced on Wednesday, include a new National AI Partnership with Google and the first memorandum of understanding between Singapore and OpenAI, which will see it set up an AI lab in the city.
Under the partnership, OpenAI will commit more than 300 million Singapore dollars ($234 million) to strengthen Singapore’s AI ecosystem, according to a joint statement released by the ChatGPT-maker and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.
While Google’s announcement didn’t include an investment commitment, the company said the main focus would be on solving societal challenges, building an AI-ready workforce, driving enterprise innovation and creating a secure AI ecosystem.
The companies announced the news alongside Singapore’s ATxSummit, a flagship technology conference taking place in the city with a heavy focus on AI deployment this year.
The city-state has been trying to carve out a niche in the global AI race, positioning itself as a neutral and talent-rich platform for developing, testing and deploying AI solutions....
....MUCH MORE
And from Singapore's Business Times, May 21:
China’s first humanoid robot incubator has its eyes set on South-east Asia – starting with a Singapore office
It hopes to connect Chinese manufacturers with the city-state’s various application scenarios
A Chinese humanoid robotics incubator is planning to set up an office in Singapore amid a concerted artificial intelligence push in the city-state, including planned large-scale smart robot trials.
The Shanghai Humanoid Robot Innovation Incubator, the first in China focusing on humanoid robots, is looking to open its Singapore office in the second half of the year.
In China, which is famous for its humanoid robots with life-like movements, the incubator has helped companies trial or go to market with several robotics products.
Rong Guoqiang, general manager of the incubator, noted Singapore’s “strong technological concentration and excellent digital infrastructure”.
He pointed to a marriage of two attributes: China’s robotics industry has very strong capabilities in testing and development, which can be done at relatively low cost, whereas Singapore has needs in specific scenarios such as education, healthcare and in households....
....MUCH MORE
If I were the mayor of, say, Baltimore I'd be asking myself if there is anything Singapore is doing that I could do in my city.