OpenAI will open its first applied AI lab outside the United States in Singapore under a new partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. The initiative, called OpenAI for Singapore, includes a commitment of more than S$300 million and plans to expand the company’s local team to about 200 roles over the next few years.
The Applied AI Lab will make Singapore one of OpenAI’s main bases for forward-deployed engineers. These teams work with organisations to use AI systems for real business and public service needs, rather than only research work.
OpenAI said the lab will support Singapore’s National AI strategy and help organisations solve hard operational issues. The company already opened a regional commercial office in Singapore in 2024, and the new lab adds a deeper technical role to this presence.
The lab will focus on areas linked to Singapore’s AI Mission priorities. These include public service, finance, healthcare, and digital infrastructure, according to the announcement. The work will involve the use of OpenAI’s tools in local projects and services.
OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser said, “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.” The statement framed the deal as a long-term partnership with Singapore.
The partnership also includes training programmes for students, teachers, and technology workers. OpenAI said it will work with the Ministry of Education and GovTech on AI-enabled learning tools, including support for Mother Tongue language learning.
The company also plans to support educators through a Singapore chapter of the OpenAI Academy and Codex for Teachers hackathons. In addition, it will launch a Forward-Deployed Engineer training programme to help build local talent for AI deployment work.
OpenAI and Singapore will also work on wider AI access for citizens, enterprises and the public sector. The initiative includes possible accelerator programmes for AI-focused startups and workshops for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The goal is to help smaller firms use AI for customer service, daily operations, and product development. This gives the partnership a business adoption track alongside its government and talent plans.
Mr. Chng Kai Fong, Permanent Secretary for Digital Development and Information, said, “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.”
OpenAI did not provide a detailed spending breakdown for the S$300 million commitment. It also did not disclose the exact lab location, facility plan or full hiring timeline beyond the next few years.
Moreover, the announcement fits Singapore’s wider push to attract global AI companies and expand local skills. The country has placed AI at the centre of economic planning, public service upgrades and workforce development.
At the same time, the lab keeps the focus on applied work, not a new research centre. OpenAI described the model as support for real-world use in Singapore.
The first visible test will come from named projects under the new lab. Those deployments will indicate how OpenAI’s Singapore team supports local agencies, companies, and public services in practical settings across the country.
Also Read: Elon Musk Vows to Appeal OpenAI Verdict, Calls it ‘Calendar Technicality’