OpenAI · May 19, 2026 · 4 min read

Introducing OpenAI for Singapore

#model-release #partnership

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May 19, 2026

Global Affairs

Introducing OpenAI for Singapore

Today at the ATx Summit in Singapore, we’re launching OpenAI for Singapore, a partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) to support Singapore’s National AI strategy.

Singapore is a global leader in AI and has made it central to its plans for economic growth, public services, and how people learn, work, and build. It recognised early that AI is becoming core infrastructure for economies and societies, with the potential to drive greater productivity, creativity, scientific progress, and economic opportunity.

As intelligence becomes more like a utility, OpenAI for Singapore is designed to support Singapore’s ambition to become an AI-powered economy. Backed by a commitment of more than S$300 million, the initiative will focus on three key areas:

Helping organisations in Singapore deploy frontier AI and solve some of their hardest problems
Developing the next generation of AI talent locally
Helping more people and businesses across Singapore benefit from AI

“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.”

— Denise Dresser, Chief Revenue Officer at OpenAI

Frontier deployment to support Singapore’s national AI priorities

At the centre of the partnership is the establishment of our Applied AI Lab in Singapore, OpenAI’s first outside the United States. What this means in practice is that OpenAI will create more than 200 Singapore-based technical roles over the next few years and make Singapore one of its global hubs for Forward-Deployed Engineers.

Forward-Deployed Engineers sit at the point where frontier research meets real-world deployment. They work directly with companies on some of their hardest problems and unlock new sources of value.

Through the partnership, the Lab will support work aligned with Singapore’s AI Mission priorities, particularly in areas such as public service, finance, healthcare and digital infrastructure. As this work grows and our Singapore-based team expands, we also expect to increase our office footprint in the country over time.

“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.”

— Mr Chng Kai Fong, Permanent Secretary (Digital Development and Information)

“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.”

— Mr Philbert Gomez, Senior Vice President and Head, Digital Industry Singapore

Developing the next generation of AI talent in Singapore

Through OpenAI for Singapore, we will work with government and local ecosystem partners to build the skills Singapore will need for a future shaped by AI. This includes:

Working with the Ministry of Education and GovTech on AI-enabled learning use cases and tools, including more interactive support for Mother Tongue language learning
Supporting educators through a Singapore chapter of the OpenAI Academy and Codex for Teachers hackathons
Launching a Forward-Deployed Engineer training programme to help develop local AI deployment talent
Participating in the National AI Impact Programme to deepen AI capabilities across the technology workforce, including through the use of Codex

Taken together, these efforts are intended to help build the skills Singapore will need for the next phase of AI adoption.

Helping more people and businesses across Singapore benefit from AI

AI’s benefits should reach every layer of the economy, not only the biggest enterprises or the people building the technology.

Through OpenAI for Singapore, we will work with local partners to help more people and businesses across the economy benefit from AI. This includes exploring accelerator programmes for AI-native startups and collaborating on workshops for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses.

These efforts will focus on practical adoption, helping founders build with AI and SMEs improve operations and customer service.

OpenAI for Singapore is about people as much as technology. By investing in frontier deployment, next-generation AI talent, and access across the economy, we want to be a long-term partner as Singapore builds toward an AI-ready economy in ways that are useful, responsible, and broadly beneficial.