Gemini 3.5: frontier intelligence with action

'Work has already begun,' says Josephine Teo in outlining National AI Missions

SINGAPORE: Singapore has begun work on its National AI Missions aimed at transforming key sectors of its economy, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo on Wednesday (May 20). Speaking at the ATxSummit 2026, Mrs Teo said that the National AI Missions would be driven by "problem statements worth solving, not just for Singapore but for the world". "They aim to be 'beachheads' for deep, game-changing AI adoption in their sectors," she said. "Work has already begun." The National AI missions are being overseen by the National AI Council, which is chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The council will broaden adoption across the economy, build deep artificial intelligence capabilities and make Singapore a leading hub for AI innovation, said Mrs Teo. Four sectors have been prioritised under the National AI Missions: connectivity, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and finance. "Singapore has global standing in each of these sectors," said Mrs Teo, adding that they make up more than 40 per cent of the country's gross domestic product. "They are also areas where government enablers like data access and regulatory sandboxes can catalyse AI breakthroughs," she said. Related: Budget 2026: Singapore to set up National AI Council, chaired by PM Wong New tripartite council on jobs to help workers, businesses make AI skills 'as pervasive as possible' Against this backdrop, Mrs Teo highlighted three areas where AI can be implemented: aviation, maritime operations and advanced manufacturing. In aviation, she pointed to the expansion of Changi Airport through the upcoming Terminal 5. The expansion will double the airport's passenger handling capacity from 70 million passengers a year to 140 million, and this poses challenges beyond the construction of infrastructure and will require a rethink of how the air hub operates, she said. Among the operational challenges Mrs Teo identified were passenger movement between gates, baggage delivery across terminals and the sequencing of aircraft landings and take-offs on runways. She said that Singapore would also need a next-generation air traffic management system that prioritises safety and not just volume. "This is just one of the many exciting opportunities in T5 that AI can help with," she said. Singapore's maritime sector is another area where AI deployment will be explored. Mrs Teo pointed to Tuas Port, which she described as "the world's largest automated container terminal along one of the world's busiest waterways". She said the port generates "rich datasets of complex operations" that can be used to develop new AI-powered solutions. Related: OpenAI commits S$300 million to grow Singapore's AI capabilities AI bilingualism becoming increasingly vital across Singapore’s industries: IMDA chief In advanced manufacturing, Mrs Teo highlighted the potential of physical and embodied AI technologies. She said that Singapore’s industrial robot density is about five times the global average and is consistently among the highest in the world. As such, physical AI could support simulations for process redesign while digital twins could improve predictive maintenance, reduce material wastage and minimise production downtime. Still, Mrs Teo cautioned that technologies developed in research labs do not always perform effectively in real factory environments. "To see real impact, we will need collaborators from the hardware, software and operational domains," she said. On that note, she welcomed NVIDIA's new research lab in Singapore, which will focus on embodied AI and efficient AI technologies. Mrs Teo added that Singapore is also developing the Punggol Digital District as a "frontier testbed", with integrated data platforms, real-world test scenarios and special permits for robot deployment. "A growing network of industry partners is using Punggol's ecosystem for testing and experimentation," said Mrs Teo. "These sandboxes and collaborations help to spread acceptance and adoption," she added. Mrs Teo said that Singapore's National AI Missions provide strong reason for leading AI firms to anchor themselves in the country, to develop, test and scale AI solutions that are trusted and globally relevant. She added that Singapore is also harnessing AI in other areas like healthcare and education for "the public good" and to improve the well-being of citizens. "We will speak more about them at suitable platforms," Mrs Teo said. Mrs Teo on Wednesday also announced an update to Singapore's National AI Strategy (NAIS). The update builds on the foundations laid by NAIS 2.0, which was launched by Mr Wong in 2023. She described the refresh as a "'double-click' rather than a system reboot". The refreshed strategy introduces 10 updated priorities centred around three broad focus areas: deepening sectoral and public sector transformation; mainstreaming AI adoption and strengthening workforce readiness; and building an AI hub.

Fine-Tuning NVIDIA Cosmos Predict 2.5 with LoRA/DoRA for Robot Video Generation

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OpenAI commits S$300 million to grow Singapore's AI capabilities

SINGAPORE: OpenAI will commit more than S$300 million (US$234 million) to develop Singapore’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the AI firm said on Wednesday (May 20). The commitment is part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Singapore and the ChatGPT-maker to collaborate on “OpenAI for Singapore”, a joint initiative to strengthen the country’s position as a leading hub for applied, AI-native innovation. “This marks the first MOU between the Singapore government and OpenAI to advance applied AI innovation, build AI talent, and make AI accessible to citizens, enterprises and the public sector,” said MDDI and OpenAI in a joint press release. At the heart of the S$300 million partnership is the OpenAI Singapore Applied AI Lab, a first outside the United States. What this means in practice is that OpenAI will grow its Singapore-based technical teams to more than 200 roles over the next few years and make the country one of its global hubs for "forward-deployed engineers", OpenAI said in a separate release. These engineers "sit at the point where frontier research meets real-world deployment" and "work directly with companies on some of their hardest problems and unlock new sources of value". The lab will support work aligned with Singapore’s AI missions and national priorities, particularly in areas of public services, 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," said OpenAI. It added that Singapore, as OpenAI's regional hub, is a natural base for the firm to deepen technical capability, support local priorities, and help scale AI adoption across the country and the broader region. “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,” said Permanent Secretary for Digital Development and Information Chng Kai Fong. “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.” Related: WP proposes wage subsidies for fresh graduates in apprenticeship roles amid AI disruption Singapore must enable businesses to transform, workers to seize new opportunities in the 'AI era': Ng Chee Meng COLLABORATION WITH EDUCATION SECTOR To build AI talent, OpenAI will collaborate with Singapore’s education sector on building programmes and research partnerships. “These hands-on workshops under a Singapore chapter of the OpenAI Academy, our online training platform, as well as Codex for Teachers hackathons, help ensure AI is developed in a teacher-led, responsible and equitable way,” said OpenAI and MDDI. OpenAI will also continue collaborating with IMDA and AI Singapore (AISG) under the AIxTech programme to build AI fluency among tech professionals. This includes providing access to OpenAI's Codex to enable hands-on training with AI tools, augmenting online exercises in AIxTech with optional modules, and participating in community efforts such as contributing e-resources and leading expert-led sessions on their AI stack. OpenAI will also launch a forward-deployed engineer programme in Singapore to train mid-career software engineers in building real-world AI systems, helping develop a pipeline of specialised AI deployment talent. “We’re excited to partner with Singapore as it builds on its position as a global leader in AI,” said OpenAI chief revenue officer Denise Dresser. “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 put frontier AI to work, develop local talent, and expand access to the benefits of AI.” AI FOR ALL Singapore is one of the top-three markets globally for per-capita ChatGPT adoption, OpenAI said, adding that the nation is also in the top five countries globally for Codex usage. In his May Day Rally earlier this month, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the authorities will take deliberate steps to ensure the benefits of AI are shared broadly , as the technology reshapes industries and transforms the Singapore economy. “The government will provide the tools, the pathways, and the support. But we also need Singaporeans to step forward. Do not let anxiety or uncertainty hold you back from learning and using AI,” Mr Wong said. “AI is here to stay. So, embrace it, learn it, use it and master it.” In his Budget speech earlier this year, Mr Wong announced that Singaporeans who take up selected AI training courses will receive six months of free access to premium AI tools. MDDI and OpenAI said on Wednesday that through their partnership, Singaporeans, businesses, and startups will gain greater access to AI tools and expertise. Other initiatives include “citizen-centric AI applications to improve and transform how citizens interact with public services, AI accelerator programmes offering technical consultancy and support for local and international startups, and workshops for micro-entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises,” said MDDI and OpenAI. “Localised content will also be developed for SkillsFuture programmes to support broad-based AI capability development across the population.” Related: Fundamental assumptions about law need to be rethought amid AI disruption: PM Wong ‘Career bridges’, raising wages of AI-resilient work: Economic Strategy Review proposes ways to create good jobs

Repensando o TCO de AI: Por Que o Custo por Token é a Única Métrica que Importa

Os data centers tradicionais apenas armazenavam, recuperavam e processavam dados. Na era da AI generativa e agêntica, essas instalações evoluíram para fábricas de tokens de AI. Com a inferência de AI tornando-se sua principal carga de trabalho, seu produto primário é a inteligência fabricada na forma de tokens. Essa transformação exige uma mudança correspondente na Leia o artigo The post Repensando o TCO de AI: Por Que o Custo por Token é a Única Métrica que Importa appeared first on NVIDIA Brasil .

Commentary: Optimising education shouldn’t be the goal of introducing AI to primary school students

SINGAPORE: The announcement that artificial intelligence will be introduced to primary school students has stirred debate among parents and educators. Earlier this year, Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee said that from Primary 4, students may use AI tools under close supervision. The goal is for AI to function like a teacher and ask students questions, rather than spoon-feed them answers. In theory, a child having an AI tutor may not seem like a bad idea, especially if this can help with understanding difficult concepts. But as a parent of two, I wonder if accelerating children’s learning should really be the goal of education at such an early age. At an age where kids are still developing their critical thinking, resilience and character, isn’t productive struggle more important than productivity itself? GAME-CHANGING SPEED AND SIMPLICITY An AI leader I interviewed shared a parenting and teaching hack: She lets her child speak to an AI chatbot with child-safe settings in place. It can answer complex questions and random trivia that would baffle many adults. Intrigued, I tried it with my own kids. When they asked about war, scoliosis, strange bugs – I allowed AI to field a few questions in a child-friendly way. Its speed and simplicity were game-changing. After a couple of brief sessions, I realised my kids seemed to enjoy asking AI more than the people around me. When we were unsure about a Chinese question, my daughter asked if we should check with AI. Even when we ordered a printer online and could not instantly understand the manual, my kids’ first instinct was to ask AI. The problem is, learning in the real world rarely works like this. Related: Commentary: Your kids are already using AI. Are you ready to guide them? 'A double-edged sword': Why some parents have concerns about introducing AI at Primary 4 DOES LEARNING NEED TO BE OPTIMISED WITH AI? Lifelong learning always involves some level of struggling with uncertainty. Sometimes, we need to brainstorm with peers or seek guidance from mentors. And sometimes, it comes with negative feedback or rejection – things that our generation is already increasingly uncomfortable with. That is also how teachers and classroom learning have traditionally functioned. Realistically, a teacher cannot always come to students’ aid immediately, know all the answers, and ask the right questions to engage students. But over time, we learn to tolerate discomfort and ambiguity – essential for emotional resilience, independent thought, creativity and leadership. When AI generates responses in seconds and optimises pathways for learning, how might it reshape the next generation’s learning habits? Will it sabotage how children learn from their teachers and classmates, who are rarely so succinct, sycophantic or personalised? Moreover, even if AI boosts knowledge acquisition in students, wisdom is an increasingly depreciating commodity in the age of AI. As a friend and fellow parent aptly pointed out, knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is usually gained from making choices with incomplete information, making mistakes, fixing them imperfectly and living through the interim stress. We are beginning to see the impact of AI on adults already. A 2025 study found that heavy AI usage correlates with lower scores on a critical thinking test. Some people I spoke to have grown reliant on AI to decide on all kinds of matters for them, from shopping to resolving work problems and having difficult personal conversations. If adults are rewired by this technology, how much more will primary school students be affected during the critical window when they are still developing their cognitive muscles and sense of self? Related: Commentary: ChatGPT is a dangerous study aid for STEM students AI use in Singapore schools kept age-appropriate, with focus on learning, not shortcuts: Desmond Lee SPILLOVER EFFECTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL This is not to say that AI should be completely avoided in schools. We cannot ignore that children are likely already using AI tools through family accounts and shared devices, even though platforms such as ChatGPT and Gemini have age restrictions. Parents and some schools are also already using AI-powered platforms such as KooBits. I have heard of kids taking screenshots of homework to ask AI for help, brainstorming with and even chatting with AI. So it is a great initiative that schools will be teaching AI safety so that children are aware of hallucination risks and data protection concerns. The Ministry of Education has also clarified that students will not be given general-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, but MOE-developed tools with built-in guardrails, which is reassuring. But as a parent, I wonder if broader AI-assisted learning in school will have spillover effects in homes where AI is not used. Once children experience how quickly AI can generate ideas, scaffold arguments and provide emotional reassurance, will home use become more prevalent? Parents, already struggling to manage the impact of social media and screen time, would then need the bandwidth and capacity to guide safe AI use. A more open discussion on the implementation of AI in classrooms, the monitoring of student usage and data privacy concerns would help parents better navigate these uncharted waters. Parents are naturally feeling anxious that AI will redesign the workforce and replace jobs. In this AI arms race, some feel that teaching AI will give children a head start in this new world. However, AI-accelerated learning cannot be at the expense of the very skills that enable humans to survive, thrive and find meaning – communication, frustration tolerance, confidence and self-determination. Education, including any AI initiatives, should be designed to protect and boost these critical life skills, not bypass them. Annie Tan is a freelance writer based in Singapore.

Google I/O 2026: All the news and announcements

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OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy joins Anthropic’s pre-training team

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Former OpenAI Staffers Warn That xAI’s Poor Safety Record Could Complicate SpaceX’s IPO

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Forget the feed: Status AI raises $17M to turn social media into interactive entertainment

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Stilta raises $10.5M from a16z and YC to help companies rediscover the patents they forgot they had

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Google I/O 2026: How to watch and what to expect

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Gemini is in danger of going full Copilot

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Google I/O 2026 Live Blog: All the Gemini and Smart Glasses Updates as They Happen

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NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang at Dell Technologies World: ‘Demand Is Going Parabolic, Utterly Parabolic’

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