Singapore: Advancing Applied AI with New Centre of Excellence
Singapore launched the Singtel Digital InfraCo – NVIDIA Centre of Excellence for Applied AI, reinforcing the nation’s shift from building large frontier models to deploying AI that solves real‑world problems. The centre joins more than 60 AI CoEs established since the 2023 National AI Strategy, already supporting pilots in manufacturing, healthcare, finance and transport. Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How highlighted parallel efforts to expand talent through apprenticeships and to harden digital infrastructure via a Green Data Centre Roadmap and a forthcoming Digital Infrastructure Act. These moves aim to sustain Singapore’s AI‑driven economic growth while ensuring resilience and sustainability.
Thailand: Smart Innovation for a Future-Ready Industrial Ecosystem
Thailand’s Industrial Estate Authority (IEAT) and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) have signed an MOU to accelerate AI, IoT and robotics adoption across industrial estates, turning SMEs into Smart Factories. The partnership will launch pilot projects in...
India Expands Digital Health Impact Domestically and Globally
India reaffirmed its commitment to digital health at the IGSTC Strategic Conclave 2026, spotlighting telemedicine advancements for the Armed Forces and the broader public. The event announced expanded collaboration with Germany and highlighted the integration of telehealth into the Ayushman...
The Philippines: Ramping Up Local and Global Digital Services
The Philippines is accelerating digital transformation in both domestic and overseas services. Quezon City’s QCitizen ID program surpassed 1.5 million registrations, offering a QR‑enabled, four‑category identity card that streamlines health, education, and welfare access. Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers signed...
Malaysia: Tech-Driven Diplomacy in 2026–2030 Strategic Plan
Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled a 2026‑2030 strategic plan that places digital capability, science and innovation at the core of its diplomatic agenda. The eight‑thrust framework embeds technology cooperation into bilateral and multilateral engagements, targeting the digital economy, renewable...
Hong Kong: PolyU Advances Intelligent Transport Solutions
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University secured HK$18.6 million from the Smart Traffic Fund to launch three AI‑driven transport projects. One develops an end‑to‑end intelligent driving system for logistics using multi‑modal sensor fusion and a 360° bird’s‑eye view framework. A second creates...
The Philippines: Digital Banking Empowers Northern Negros Students
Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) launched its Cash‑Lite Campus Programme at the State University of Northern Negros, bringing digital banking to more than 2,000 students and campus partners. The initiative offers no‑deposit PISO Plus accounts, QR‑enabled person‑to‑merchant payments, and...
Singapore: Science-Policy Integration in Global AI Governance
Minister Josephine Teo highlighted Singapore’s strategy to shape global AI governance through science, multilateral cooperation, and substantial funding. The city‑state has pledged S$1 billion to a National AI R&D Plan and created a Digital Trust Centre, AI Safety Institute, and an...
Indonesia and Vietnam Explore Digital Payment Collaboration
Indonesia and Vietnam are initiating talks to cooperate on digital payment technologies, targeting greater transparency, efficiency, and financial inclusion. The discussions, held in Hanoi, focus on leveraging Vietnam’s real‑time monitoring capabilities to help Indonesian MSMEs maintain accurate records and access...
Hong Kong Fortifies Cybersecurity Training in the AI Era
Hong Kong released its Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, revealing that nearly 30% of local firms lack dedicated security staff and only 26% of SMEs have such roles compared with 59% of large enterprises. To address the talent gap, the government, HKPC...
Thailand: Using Technology and Data to Restore Coastal Ecosystems
Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources have signed a five‑year memorandum of understanding to apply data‑driven science, digital monitoring and genomic research to coastal and marine ecosystem management. The partnership will...
Singapore: Expanding Community Support for Digital-Age Parents
Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam opened Phase 2 of the First Device Campaign, a new effort by TOUCH Cyber Wellness to provide community‑based support for parents navigating children’s digital lives. The initiative moves beyond online guides, offering hands‑on workshops and peer‑learning...
