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The partnership will establish OpenAI’s first Applied AI Lab outside the US, create more than 200 AI-focused roles in Singapore, and expand AI training and adoption across businesses, schools, and the public sector.
Singapore has signed its first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OpenAI to strengthen the country’s position as a hub for applied artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and workforce capability-building.
Announced on 20 May 2026, the partnership between the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and OpenAI will see the launch of “OpenAI for Singapore”, a joint initiative focused on advancing applied AI innovation, developing AI talent, and making AI tools more accessible across the public sector, enterprises, and the wider community.
The partnership also represents a commitment of more than S$300mn by OpenAI towards strengthening Singapore’s AI ecosystem.
According to the announcement, the MOU is built around three key pillars:
- Applied AI Lab,
- AI talent for the ecosystem, and
- AI for all
OpenAI to launch first applied AI lab outside the US
At the centre of the collaboration is the OpenAI Singapore applied AI Lab, which will be the company’s first Applied AI Lab established outside the US.
The lab will focus on expanding a dedicated team of forward-deployed engineers (FDEs) and technical specialists to more than 200 roles over the next few years. These teams will work with Singapore-based partners to help turn frontier AI technologies into practical capabilities that can be applied in everyday economic capability.
The initiative will support projects aligned with Singapore’s AI missions and national priorities, particularly in areas such as public services, finance, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.
As part of this effort, OpenAI will also launch an FDE programme in Singapore to train mid-career software engineers in building real-world AI systems, helping to develop a pipeline of specialised AI deployment talent.
Focus on AI skills and capability-building
The second pillar of the partnership focuses on AI talent development across Singapore’s wider ecosystem.
OpenAI will collaborate with Singapore’s education sector on capability-building programmes and research partnerships through a local chapter of the OpenAI Academy, the company’s online training platform.
Planned initiatives include hands-on workshops and Codex for Teachers hackathons aimed at supporting responsible, teacher-led, and equitable AI adoption in education.
The company will also continue collaborating with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and AI Singapore (AISG) under the AIxTech programme to strengthen AI fluency among technology professionals.
This includes providing access to OpenAI’s Codex tools for hands-on training, introducing optional AI modules to AIxTech exercises, and contributing e-resources and expert-led sessions focused on OpenAI’s AI stack.
AI tools and support to be extended to businesses and citizens
The third pillar of the partnership centres on expanding access to AI tools and expertise for Singaporeans, startups, and businesses.
Under the initiative, OpenAI and Singapore will co-develop citizen-centric AI applications aimed at improving how people interact with public services.
AI Accelerator programmes will also be introduced to provide technical consultancy and support for local and international startups, alongside workshops tailored for micro-entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In addition, localised AI-related content will be developed for SkillsFuture programmes to support broad-based AI capability-building across the population.
Chng Kai Fong, Permanent Secretary (Digital Development and Information), MDDI said: "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.”
He added that the collaboration with OpenAI demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening Singapore’s AI capabilities, supporting enterprise AI adoption, and securing good jobs for Singaporeans.
Denise Dresser, Chief Revenue Officer, OpenAI, said Singapore’s strong technical talent, trusted institutions, and ambition to use AI to drive long-term growth and improve lives made it a key partner for the initiative.
She added that: “Through OpenAI for Singapore, we want to help more organisations put frontier AI to work, develop local talent, and expand access to the benefits of AI.”
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