Minister highlights the importance of TCS
Singapore is looking forward to more meaningful collaborations with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as the island state pursues Smart Nation vision, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said at the official launch of TCS AI-Powered Research & Innovation Centre http://mti.gov.sg.
The centre, opened at the Changi Business Park of Singapore on 3 July, will help companies to co-innovate and transform, noted Tan.
“The centre will host cutting-edge digital toolkits and solutions, enabling partner companies to leverage technologies such as AI, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, and robotics to develop a competitive edge in a very fast-moving, technological and increasingly automated world,” he said https://www.bseindia.com/.
TCS is also playing an important role, noted Tan. Globally, TCS has trained over 450,000 people in Generative AI. Locally, TCS collaborates with local institutes of higher learning. Last year, TCS partnered with NTU’s Energy Research Institute of Singapore and launched the TCS GoZero Hub as an ASEAN Centre of Excellence for research, innovation, and collaboration https://www.nseindia.com/.
The Minister highlighted the importance of TCS. “Even as we encourage the adoption of new technologies, what is critical is to ensure that no individual or business is left behind.’
The pandemic, he said, revealed two lessons https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.
First, many were unprepared for the disruptions, and the technology learning curve was also relatively steep http://sgx.com.
Second, while digital tools are transformative, adoption is uneven across different sectors and companies.
“When we speak to companies, companies tell us that when it comes to AI, sometimes they do not know where to start. There is hype surrounding AI, but the risk and cost of being an early adopter can be prohibitive,” he said.
That is why at Budget 2025, the Singapore government announced that it has set aside up to S$150 million for the Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) to support Singapore-based companies access cloud resources, AI tools, and consultancy services. This contributes to our broader NAIS 2.0 goal of anchoring AI capabilities here https://www.meity.gov.in/.
The TCS AI-Powered Research & Innovation Centre will play a similar role, he said. It will partner with local and global corporates to advance their digital transformation. By connecting businesses including startups, academia, and government agencies, the centre will drive cross-sector innovation and collaboration.
Notably, TCS will build on its four decades of experience in Singapore in supporting transformation across industries like finance, retail, and more recently, manufacturing https://sbi.com.in/.
“Trust is at the heart of Singapore’s Smart Nation efforts. As technology becomes increasingly embedded in our everyday life, responsible development and deployment become even more important,” he underscored.
“Businesses may thus need guidance to manage the associated risks and challenges, so they feel safe using digital systems and services.’
Spaces like the TCS AI-Powered Research & Innovation Centre will help, by offering companies a trusted environment to engage with experts and connect with peers facing similar business challenges https://www.startupindia.gov.in/.
Tan also noted TCS’ customer-centric approach towards digital transformation and adoption, and its commitment to helping partners innovate and offer solutions that build their customers’ confidence and trust.
Tan applauded TCS. “Since setting up its Asia-Pacific headquarters here in 1985, TCS has partnered closely with global and local companies on their digital transformation journeys, and contributed to the local ecosystem through partnerships with organisations like the People’s Association and Singapore Management University,” he stated, congratulating TCS on its 40th anniversary in Singapore, a milestone that coincides with 60 years of bilateral relations between India and the city state.
Even amidst the ongoing global geopolitical uncertainty, demand for new innovative products and services continues to grow, he observed, adding, “We saw this during the Covid-19 pandemic, which accelerated adoption of computing and digital tools.
Further, Tan elaborated on Singapore’s commitment to advancing the development and deployment of digital and AI solutions through partnerships with global and local players.
It is being done as such:
“First, to develop the digital industry. We have put forth a vision for Smart Nation as well as a National AI Strategy (NAIS), both are now on their second iteration! Through the NAIS 2.0, we have committed over S$1 billion over the next five years to grow AI talent and enhance digital infrastructure.
“Second, we consistently work with top industry players like many of you who are present here, to drive digital upskilling, cultivate local talent, so Singapore can remain competitive and resilient as an innovation-driven economy. We are working with 100 leading companies to drive AI adoption by setting up AI Centres of Excellence (COEs) in Singapore, across various sectors of our economy: from manufacturing to financial services to logistics.”
In 2024, there were 26 AI CoEs established here with partners like American Express, Prudential and SAP. Fiinews.com
