OpenAI launches Singapore partnership backed by more than S$300 million

OpenAI for Singapore will create more than 200 technical roles, establish the company’s first Applied AI Lab outside the United States, and support education, workforce, and enterprise AI adoption.

OpenAI has launched OpenAI for Singapore, a partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information backed by more than S$300 million. Image credit: OpenAI

OpenAI has launched OpenAI for Singapore, a partnership with Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information backed by more than S$300 million to support the country’s National AI Strategy.

The initiative was announced at the ATx Summit in Singapore and will focus on three areas: helping organizations deploy frontier AI, developing local AI talent, and widening access to AI across the economy.

At the center of the partnership is a new Applied AI Lab in Singapore, OpenAI’s first outside the United States. The lab will create more than 200 Singapore-based technical roles over the next few years and make Singapore one of OpenAI’s global hubs for Forward-Deployed Engineers.

The partnership involves the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, the Singapore Economic Development Board, the Ministry of Education Singapore, GovTech Singapore, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority.

Education is part of the wider program, with work planned alongside the Ministry of Education Singapore and GovTech Singapore on AI-enabled learning use cases and tools, including more interactive support for Mother Tongue language learning.

Applied AI Lab marks overseas expansion

The Applied AI Lab will support work aligned with Singapore’s AI Mission priorities, including public service, finance, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.

Forward-Deployed Engineers will work directly with organizations on AI deployment, moving frontier models into workflows, products, and operational use cases.

Oliver J., Managing Director, OpenAI International, wrote on LinkedIn: "A major part of this is our new Applied AI Lab in Singapore, our first outside the United States. Over the next few years, we’ll create more than 200 Singapore-based technical roles and make Singapore one of our global hubs for Forward-Deployed Engineers."

Denise Dresser, Chief Revenue Officer at OpenAI, says: "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."

As the Singapore-based team grows, OpenAI expects to increase its office footprint in the country.

Education work includes OpenAI Academy and Codex for Teachers

The education strand includes work with the Ministry of Education Singapore and GovTech Singapore on AI-enabled learning tools, including support for Mother Tongue language learning.

Educators will be supported through a Singapore chapter of the OpenAI Academy and Codex for Teachers hackathons. A Forward-Deployed Engineer training program will also be launched to develop local AI deployment talent.

OpenAI will also participate in the National AI Impact Programme, using Codex to deepen AI capabilities across Singapore’s technology workforce.

Chng Kai Fong, Permanent Secretary for Digital Development and Information, says: "With AI reshaping economies, businesses and the workforce, Singapore's response has been deliberate: growing new sectors, anchoring global frontier companies here, and equipping our people with the skills to thrive in this new environment. This partnership with OpenAI reflects the Government’s commitment to developing Singapore's AI capabilities, strengthening enterprise adoption of AI, and securing good jobs for Singaporeans."

Startups and small businesses included in AI rollout

The partnership also covers practical AI adoption for founders, micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, and larger organizations.

Planned activity includes exploring accelerator programs for AI-native startups and collaborating on workshops for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses. The work will focus on helping founders build with AI and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with operations and customer service.

Mr Philbert Gomez, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Industry Singapore, says: "We are delighted by OpenAI’s decision to expand its applied AI engineering capabilities in Singapore through the launch of OpenAI for Singapore. This investment presents exciting opportunities for Singaporeans and underscores Singapore’s growing role as a trusted global hub for AI innovation and development in the region. We look forward to partnering with OpenAI to support AI adoption across Singapore’s economy through these capabilities."

OpenAI has not given a detailed hiring schedule for the 200-plus technical roles beyond saying they will be created over the next few years. The first phase brings together the Applied AI Lab, education use cases, AI workforce training, startup support, and small business adoption under the OpenAI for Singapore partnership.