OpenAI is opening its first applied AI lab outside the US in Singapore. The move comes through a multiyear partnership with the country’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information. The company says it is backing the initiative with more than $234 million.
The new lab will add more than 200 technical roles over the next few years, according to an announcement on Tuesday. Singapore will become one of OpenAI’s global hubs for Forward Deployed Engineers, or FDEs. These are technical specialists who work directly with organizations to implement AI systems.
OpenAI for Singapore
The initiative is called “OpenAI for Singapore.” It will focus on deploying frontier AI across public service, finance, healthcare, and digital infrastructure. Talent development and broader access for small businesses and startups are also key goals.
OpenAI will work with the Ministry of Education and GovTech on AI learning tools. That includes support for mother tongue language learning. The company is also launching an FDE training program and joining Singapore’s National AI Impact Programme. The goal is to build skills across the wider technology workforce.
For smaller players, OpenAI plans accelerator programs for AI-native startups. It will also run workshops for micro-entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises.
Singapore has been pushing hard into AI. The country has also struck a collaboration with Google DeepMind in healthcare. Nvidia is setting up its own AI research lab in the city-state. OpenAI first set up a Singapore office in 2024.
OpenAI expands partnerships with countries
OpenAI is striking similar government partnerships across the globe. Over the weekend, Malta struck a first-of-its-kind deal with OpenAI. It offers free ChatGPT Plus access to all citizens who complete a government-backed AI literacy course. That course was developed by the University of Malta.
OpenAI has also struck deals with Estonia, providing ChatGPT Edu to secondary school students and teachers. It launched “OpenAI for Greece” in partnership with the Greek government as well. The company is clearly looking to expand its reach beyond the US and into the broader global market.
