The South-East Asia region’s industries to benefit from expanded investments into AI at SAP Labs and other AI-related programs.
Companies like precision plastics manufacturer Sunningdale Tech have decided to work with SAP’s Digital Innovation Accelerator team – for good reasons.
SAP has recently announced the expansion of its Digital Innovation Accelerator in Singapore. Supported by the Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), SAP will invest S$12 million in the Singapore-based Digital Innovation Accelerator, first launched in 2019.
The investment will focus on developing practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry-specific scenarios, initially focusing on advanced manufacturing, financial services, and travel and logistics services.
Khoo Boo Hor, CEO and Executive Director of Sunningdale Tech, said: “SAP’s new industry-focused AI development initiative comes at a timely moment for Sunningdale, as we continue to drive long-term sustainable growth. We expect AI-driven solutions to help us make predictions and forecasts with greater accuracy and reduce over-production and machine under-utilization. We also hope to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance our analysis and usage of corrugated boxes as we strive to reduce wastage across our operations.”
Since 2019, SAP has committed almost S$300 million to developing Business AI and other deep tech in Singapore. This includes establishing Southeast Asia’s first SAP Labs in 2022, and Asia’s first innovation center for experience management (XM) in 2023.
SAP Business AI is built into the SAP applications that power critical business processes for customers across Asia Pacific and Japan. It comprises a range of AI innovations developed using extensive industry-specific data and deep process knowledge, all created using responsible AI practices.
Practical path forward in sector-specific AI
The expanded SAP Digital Innovation Accelerator will see industry leaders work with a dedicated team of in-house SAP business architects, data experts, and developers to develop unique AI use cases tailored for their unique business scenarios.
The Accelerator team will have an additional focus on sustainability, aiming to create positive climate action outcomes through the application of AI and SAP’s sustainability solutions for use cases including improved environmental monitoring, reporting, and optimized supply chains.
Announcing the expansion, Eileen Chua, Managing Director, SAP Singapore, said: “Co-innovation initiatives like our Digital Innovation Accelerator are aimed at enabling SAP and our customers to rapidly scale digital transformation by tapping into our global expertise and ecosystems. Over the past five years, we’ve co-developed solutions with more than 80 Singapore enterprises, achieving tangible impact in their business processes and international growth.”
She added: “Singapore is significantly investing to futureproof its citizens and businesses through initiatives like the National AI Strategy, workforce development programs like SkillsFuture, and its Net Zero ambitions.”
While AI is only just starting to be applied to climate-related scenarios, some organizations are already demonstrating the promise of AI for climate impact, delivering some results. Combined with SAP’s own sustainability solutions, these initiatives are aimed at supporting Singapore to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
Commenting on the announcement, Philbert Gomez, Executive Director & Head, DISG, said: “SAP has been a longstanding partner in developing Singapore’s digital ecosystem. The Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) supports the adoption of AI across industries to increase the competitiveness of businesses. We are delighted to partner with SAP in the expansion of its Digital Innovation Accelerator, which will work with industry leaders to develop, prototype and scale AI solutions to advance their sustainability goals from Singapore.”
Bolstering talent pipeline with AI courses
Over the past five years, SAP has collaborated closely with the Singapore Government under the SkillsFuture program to support and upskill over 1,000 mid-career professionals to teach practical and hands-on digital skills.
SAP has also invested in and launched eight free AI foundational courses and plans to introduce certification courses on Business AI later this year.
“These new, on-going, and upcoming initiatives are testament of SAP’s continuous commitment to build Singapore’s digital and technology capabilities across all sectors and levels of the economy, from shaping budding talents to transforming mature enterprises. We look forward to extending our long-term partnership with Singapore to build the future of AI-enabled enterprises,” Ms Chua.
