EDB teams up with Google Cloud to launch programme to help companies scale up their use of AI

In a move to enable Singapore companies to scale their use of artificial intelligence (AI), the Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) and Google Cloud announced the launch of AI Cloud Takeoff (AI CTO) on Friday.

DISG is a joint office established by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

The DISG serves as the government’s single interface for the digital industry in Singapore.

Announced under the S$150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI), the AI CTO initiative was expected to accelerate AI and cloud adoption in Singapore.

Under the initiative, AI Centers of Excellence (AI CoEs) would be established in 300 digitally mature, Singapore-based companies over the next 12 months.

This was expected to empower them to create AI-driven intellectual property, products, and services that boost their competitiveness and unlock new revenue opportunities.

In order to qualify for this programme, companies must be registered in Singapore, commit at least three technical staff to the six-month programme. The company also has to have formal support from senior management, and have one AI use case ready to be worked on.

During the launch on Friday, it was announced that these companies will be incentivised with up to S$500,000 for AI development from DISG and Google Cloud.

These incentives comprise a government grant covering up to 70 per cent of each company’s professional services and cloud service utilisation, capped at S$105,000, unlocked after sucessfully developing and piloting a minimum viable product (MVP), S$200,000 for upskilling credits and licenses, and S$195,000 for additional Google Cloud credits when companies are ready to scale their MVP to production.

Why this matters

Google Cloud’s Country Director for Singapore and Malaysia, Serene Sia noted that AI CTO “gives companies a blueprint to repeatedly build and scale their own AI solutions” and urged companies to “innovate confidently, become more competitive and generate revenue in new ways”.

During her speech at the AI CTO launch, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Low Yen Ling, said that the AI CTO programme was a “powerful launchpad for companies on their AI innovation journey from early experimentation to full scale transformation”.

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AI-Cloud in action

Earlier this year, the programme was trialled by early adopters including YCH Group and Endowus.

YCH developed an AI-powered X-ray image analysis tool that automates the typically highly labour-intensive task of monitoring cargo.

They will apply their new AI tool for use in the Vietnam SuperPort to ensure the compliance of shipped goods.

A spokesperson from YCH also shared that the tool is planned to be progressively introduced in Singapore and Malaysia.

He added that YCH will continue to refine the AI model by training it with additional cargo-related images and documentation to improve its accuracy.  

During an AI solution demonstration, Chief Information Officer for container shipping company, Seaco, Damian Leach shared that the automation of the port inspection process using AI cuts down inspection time from days and weeks to just a few minutes.

He added that automation of the inspection process creates opportunities at Seaco's depots, with easy-to-use AI tools enabling people who might otherwise be unable to perform traditional inspection work to contribute effectively.

The AI CTO programme replaces Google’s 2023 AI Trailblazer programme, which graduated 213 organisations who had tried and adopted at least one enterprise AI solution, or AI designed for businesses.

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