Opening Remarks by Min(EST) at the Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) Singapore grand opening ceremony

Good morning Dr. Peter Lee,

Mr. Rodrigo Kede Lima,

Ms. Dee Templeton,

Mr. Doug Burger,

Dr. Lidong Zhou,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Introduction 

1. It always gives me great delight and pleasure to attend such opening ceremonies because it is a good testament to the attractiveness of our country. I’m happy to join you today for the opening of the Microsoft Research Asia Lab here in Singapore, also known as MSRA Singapore.

2. Let me first begin by extending my warmest congratulations to the Microsoft team on this very significant milestone.

3. The launch of MSRA Singapore is a landmark moment — as this is Microsoft’s first R&D presence in Singapore.

Partnership between Microsoft & Singapore

4. Microsoft has played a critical role in contributing to Singapore’s innovation and digital ecosystem over the last 35 years.

   1. When Microsoft first set up its operations here in Singapore in 1990, it was a team of just three people.

   2. At that time, Singapore was still laying the foundations of our digital economy, and “cloud computing” sounded more like a weather forecast than a transformative technology.

   3. Since then, in the last 35 years, we have seen phenomenal growth. From the launch of Microsoft’s first XML Web Services Centre in 2001, to the establishment of regional hubs such as the Microsoft Technology Centre and Cybersecurity Center for Asia-Pacific in 2019, Microsoft has steadily grown its capabilities and footprint in Singapore.

5. Today’s launch of MSRA Singapore adds yet a new chapter to this very enduring partnership.

It is testament to the strong and deepening partnership between Microsoft and Singapore, and Microsoft’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.

6. MSRA will anchor Microsoft’s capabilities in computing fundamentals, societal and industrial AI.

As one of the leading companies in the world in AI research, MSRA will certainly be an invaluable contribution to Singapore’s ambitions to be a global leader in AI.

Deepening of Singapore’s AI capabilities 

7. When Singapore launched the refreshed National AI Strategy, or NAIS 2.0 in 2023, we outlined our mission to maximise the potential of the technology for both economic and societal good.

8. We are very focused on sharpening our AI capabilities in areas of national importance.

   1. Alongside education, urban solutions and sustainability, healthcare is one such priority. All of you know, Singapore faces a rapidly ageing population. We will face increasing growing demands on our healthcare system. 

   2. From enabling early diagnoses to supporting preventive healthcare, AI can support clinicians to optimise healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.

   3. For a start, Singapore has established AimSG, a single platform to accelerate the validation and deployment of trustworthy AI imaging models within Singapore’s public healthcare institutions.

But we know that we cannot do this alone.

9. That is why I am heartened that one of MSRA’s first focus areas in Singapore will be in healthcare and human health potential.

   1. In particular, I would like to commend MSRA’s partnership with SingHealth and A*STAR to develop AI solutions to tackle pressing healthcare-related issues like preventive healthcare.

   2. MSRA’s efforts will support our healthcare professionals with AI solutions in diagnosing diseases more accurately and quickly, and personalising treatments for more effective patient care.

Fostering collaborations with our local ecosystem

10. Singapore, as Dr Peter Lee shared earlier on in his speech, also plays a critical role in Microsoft’s global research policy.

11. Our strong business networks, competitive government support and highly skilled workforce are strengths that make us a natural home for companies to pursue frontier technological breakthroughs here.

12. Many companies have already chosen to anchor their innovation centres here, and AI will be a powerful multiplier for them.

It is our hope that MSRA’s presence will inspire even more companies to leverage AI to build a more vibrant innovation ecosystem in Singapore, and in critical areas that can advance our humanity.

13. To this end, Singapore is committed to supporting companies in their journey towards the development and deployment of AI solutions.

    1. For example, Singapore has set out to work closely with companies to set up AI Centres of Excellence (COEs) which forms part of NAIS 2.0’s goal in creating 100 COEs by 2028 – that is about two and a half years from now.

    2. Today, we have over 40 COEs in Singapore with the intent to build AI-enabled capabilities and develop AI solutions that will help to enhance productivity and drive greater value for our people and businesses across key sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, transport and healthcare.

14. I welcome MSRA’s plans to improve AI capabilities through partnerships with our research agencies, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), locally-based enterprises and local startups. These partnerships will include sector-specific technical workshops, executive dialogues and consulting services for companies.

    1. MSRA will be partnering A*STAR, NTU and NUS on joint research in Fundamental AI that can improve tasks involving problem-solving, pattern recognition and decision-making, as well as Sectoral AI to harness AI capabilities to address challenges in key sectors like manufacturing, financial services, health and the biomedical industry.

    2. Our local startups – we encourage them to work with MSRA to tap on Microsoft’s partner ecosystem and GenAI platforms and tools to speed up AI value discovery across industries and spur AI experimentation.

 Talent opportunities

15. As much as we lean into technology, underpinning the success of every AI collaboration in Singapore is a deep pool of talent.

    1. Under NAIS 2.0, our ambition is to expand and nurture 15,000 AI practitioners by 2030.

    2. The launch of MSRA in Singapore will contribute to our ambition to be a talent magnet for innovation by creating new high-quality roles in the next 5 years, and this includes researchers, applied scientists and research program managers.

    3. I am indeed very heartened to hear that MSRA is actively supporting the development of AI talent at all levels.

16. Since April this year, MSRA has collaborated with NUS and NTU through the Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP).

    1. This initiative, supported by the Economic Development Board (EDB), ensures that companies in Singapore have access to a pipeline of local talent in R&D roles, while allowing our workers to advance their careers in globally-leading companies.

    2. Experienced and senior researchers from MSRA will mentor participating PhD candidates in Singapore working on frontier research projects.

17. Undergraduate and graduate students can also explore MSRA’s Stars of Tomorrow Internship Program, which provides mentorship exploring their research interests.

More than 7,000 interns have gone through this programme globally and we look forward to many more students in Singapore taking this up.

18. These partnerships will nurture our next generation of leaders in AI research and cultivate interdisciplinary, high-calibre professionals and drive the integration of AI technology across industries.

19. That said, AI is not just for those who are already technical and skilled; we want to encourage mass adoption – it is for every individual in Singapore.

    1. Initiatives like the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA), support individuals in acquiring AI and data analytics – skills that are highly sought after by employers today. Partnerships with global tech giants like Microsoft will further strengthen these efforts.

    2. Since March last year, 2024, Microsoft has been a big supporter of AI training efforts for our local businesses and workforce with six different collaborations. Notably, Microsoft partnered with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to support 2,000 small medium enterprises to adopt AI solutions in workflows such as human resources, finance and sales.

 Microsoft also collaborated with NTUC LearningHub to raise the AI literacy of 10,000 members of the labour union.

20. It is our ambition that Singaporeans across all ages and backgrounds can thrive and do exceedingly well in an AI-driven future, whether as pioneering researchers, skilled practitioners, or confident users applying AI meaningfully in their work and daily lives. 

Closing 

21. Once again, allow me to congratulate Microsoft on this very significant milestone to deepen its roots in Singapore. I was whispering to Dr Lee on the sidelines while listening to Dr Zhou – with the rapid acceleration of technology, with all the evolving disruptions that are coming, perhaps every year we should get together in a form of an annual symposium to take stock on the latest developments and create the ecosystem of exchange where we can bring our companies who are anchored here to exchange ideas and best practices. I hope it is something that Microsoft and MSRA will consider.

All these initiatives can only come about because we have a long-standing  partnership – this is a testament to that long-standing partnership, and both Microsoft and Singapore’s commitment to integrating AI into the core of our society.

22. As the saying goes, “The best way for an accurate prediction of the future is when you create it yourself.”

 I look forward to working closely with MSRA Singapore to harness the potential of AI in uplifting our people, empowering our industries, and building a more resilient and inclusive society.

23. Together, ladies and gentlemen, we can create a future where technology is a force for good, for growth, and for generations to come.

24. Thank you very much.