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SAP SE  today 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.

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 centre 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.

Announcing the expansion, Eileen Chua, SAP Singapore Managing Director, said, “Singapore is significantly investing to future-proof its citizens and businesses through initiatives like the National AI Strategy, workforce development programmes like SkillsFuture, and its Net Zero ambitions. SAP’s vision to boost local research and innovation will only strengthen the ongoing mission to sharpen Singapore organisations’ competitive advantage on the global stage.”

“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,” Ms Chua added. 

Commenting on the announcement, Philbert Gomez, Executive Director & Head, Digital Industry Singapore (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.”

A 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 optimised supply chains.

Commenting on the decision to work with SAP’s Digital Innovation Accelerator team, Khoo Boo Hor, CEO and Executive Director of precision plastics manufacturer 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 overproduction and machine underutilisation. 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.”

“While AI is only just starting to be applied to climate-related scenarios, leading organisations are already demonstrating the promise of AI for climate impact and delivering results. Combined with SAP’s sustainability solutions, these initiatives aim to support Singapore to achieve Net Zero by 2050,” said Ms Chua. 

Bolstering talent pipeline with AI courses

Over the past five years, SAP has collaborated closely with the Singapore Government under the SkillsFuture programme 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,” said Ms Chua.

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