Microsoft has announced an expansion of its AI Pinnacle Program in Singapore, forging new collaborations with both public and private sector leaders to drive large-scale adoption of artificial intelligence. The announcement, made at the “Leading in the Era of AI” event on March 11, 2025, introduces partnerships with CapitaLand, ofi (Olam Food Ingredients), SATS, Singtel, and SJ Group—spanning industries such as real estate, food and beverage, aviation, telecommunications, and architecture and engineering. These collaborations aim to co-develop sector-specific AI solutions, further embedding AI across Singapore’s economy and aligning with the government’s push for tech-driven growth under Budget 2025.
A key element of the announcement is Microsoft’s partnership with the ASTAR Institute for Infocomm Research (ASTAR I2R) to develop MERaLiON, a Singapore-specific multimodal large language model. Supported by the National Research Foundation and IMDA, MERaLiON will leverage Microsoft Azure to enhance AI’s understanding of local languages and contexts, with plans to integrate it into Microsoft 365 and Copilot. This will make AI assistants more relevant and accessible to Singaporean businesses, improving productivity and decision-making while contributing to the nation’s broader AI research landscape.
The expansion also places significant emphasis on workforce development. Microsoft will scale up its “Code; Without Barriers” initiative to train 200,000 learners in Singapore by 2027, including a targeted effort to upskill 10,000 women in AI and data roles. The program, now supported by 60 companies across Southeast Asia, provides certification, mentorship, and real-world AI project opportunities, helping to cultivate a diverse and skilled AI talent pool essential for Singapore’s digital economy.
This AI Pinnacle Program is positioned to not only transform industries but also strengthen Singapore’s status as a regional leader in AI innovation. With 82% of Singaporean organizations already using or planning to invest in AI—outpacing the global average—and reporting strong returns on investment, the expanded program is set to deliver further value by fostering public-private collaboration, advancing local research, and ensuring that AI benefits all segments of the community.
(Source: Microsoft Source Asia)
