AMAZON Web Services (AWS) will commit an extra S$12 billion to its existing Singapore cloud infrastructure over the next four years, doubling its investment in the Republic. The move follows a latest S$11.5 million injection in 2023.
It will also launch a flagship programme to drive the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.
The S$12 billion investment will help meet growing customer demand for cloud services, AWS said on the sidelines of the AWS Summit held at Marina Bay Sands on Tuesday (May 7).
“It also brings additional contributions to the local economy by AWS, such as upskilling the local digital workforce, developing renewable energy projects and creating a positive impact in the communities where AWS operates,” said Priscilla Chong, AWS Singapore’s country manager.
The Amazon subsidiary expects the investment to contribute S$23.7 billion to Singapore’s gross domestic product by 2023 and, through 2028, support about 12,300 jobs – part of the AWS data centre supply chain.
AWS, which provides on-demand cloud computing services, supports more than 4,800 full-time jobs at local businesses annually, based on its Singapore economic impact report.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
It plans to support Singapore’s smart nation goals with its new flagship AI programme – AWS AI Spring.
Under the initiative, AWS will collaborate with Singapore government agencies to drive AI adoption within the public sector and wider industries.
For example, it will partner the Infocomm Media Development Authority on a series of generative AI workshops with at least 100 enterprises. Each workshop will cater to more than 20 “digitally matured” local enterprises, AWS said.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with health tech agency Synapxe for data and AI applications that allow healthcare providers to leverage data analytics and AI across healthcare systems.
AWS will partner universities, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education on AI learning in a bid to triple the pool of AI practitioners to 15,000 in the next five years. It aims to train 5,000 individuals across these learning institutions on AI skills yearly from 2024 to 2026.
