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Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide. As a result, organizations are investing heavily in skilled AI professionals to stay competitive. SAP Labs recently announced a strategic partnership with Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Through this collaboration, the company will hire and train AI scientists and machine learning engineers. This initiative strengthens SAP’s commitment to enterprise AI innovation. Moreover, it supports Singapore’s vision of becoming a leading AI-powered economy.
The announcement was made during SAP d-com Singapore 2026, the company’s flagship developer conference in Singapore. The event was attended by Senior Minister of State Mr. Tan Kiat How from the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Health, reflecting the government’s strong support for technology-driven workforce development and AI innovation.
SAP has steadily expanded its AI operations in Singapore over the past few years. Since announcing plans in 2023 to strengthen its local AI workforce, SAP Labs East Asia Singapore has experienced remarkable growth. The engineering team has tripled in size and now consists of nearly 400 engineers working on advanced AI technologies and enterprise software solutions.
The company has transformed Singapore into one of its most important AI development centers globally. Today, more than 90% of SAP’s AI workforce in Singapore consists of local talent recruited from prestigious institutions such as the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of Singapore’s education system and its ability to produce highly skilled technology professionals capable of contributing to global AI innovation.
As part of the collaboration with IMDA’s TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) program, SAP Labs East Asia Singapore will recruit and train 50 graduates and mid-career professionals over the next three years.
The initiative aims to develop highly skilled AI experts who can contribute to cutting-edge enterprise AI projects. Participants will undergo a comprehensive 12-month training and mentorship program designed to provide practical experience in emerging AI technologies.
The training program will focus on several critical areas, including:
One of the most attractive aspects of the program is the opportunity for international exposure. Selected trainees may participate in short-term placements or rotations at SAP Labs facilities in countries such as Germany, India, and the United States. These experiences will allow participants to collaborate with global AI teams and gain valuable international expertise.
Singapore has established itself as one of Asia’s leading technology hubs, attracting significant investments from multinational corporations and technology companies. SAP’s continued investment further strengthens the country’s position as a center for AI research, development, and commercialization.
According to Manik Saha, Managing Director of SAP Labs East Asia, Singapore plays a vital role in SAP’s long-term AI strategy. The company’s local teams are developing advanced AI technologies that are integrated into SAP products used by businesses around the world.
These innovations include:
The combination of strong government support, world-class educational institutions, and a highly skilled workforce has created an environment where advanced AI technologies can thrive.
SAP Labs East Asia Singapore is not only training AI talent but also producing innovative AI solutions that deliver real business value globally.
Since its launch in partnership with Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) in 2022, the lab has filed nearly 160 patents related to AI innovations. Impressively, 57 of these patents have been filed within the last three years, demonstrating the rapid pace of innovation taking place in Singapore.
These patents cover a variety of AI technologies that are helping organizations improve productivity, automate workflows, and make better business decisions.
The SAP Business AI product engineering team in Singapore is responsible for developing several advanced AI capabilities that are already being used by businesses worldwide.
One major innovation is the development of Joule AI scenarios integrated into SAP solutions such as SAP S/4HANA, Intelligent Spend and Business Networks (ISBN), and SAP SuccessFactors.
These AI-powered assistants help users:
By reducing manual work, these solutions enable employees to focus on higher-value activities.
SAP has also introduced generative AI features within SAP SuccessFactors. These capabilities help organizations improve workforce management and employee productivity.
Examples include:
These tools allow HR teams to make data-driven decisions while improving employee experiences.
Another major area of development is Document AI technology. SAP’s teams in Singapore have created solutions capable of automatically extracting information from business documents.
Recent enhancements include:
These innovations significantly reduce manual data entry and improve operational efficiency.
Unlike many consumer-focused AI applications, SAP’s AI systems are designed specifically for enterprise environments where security, reliability, and compliance are critical requirements.
SAP’s AI agents are deeply integrated into business systems, allowing organizations to automate complex processes while maintaining strict governance standards.
Today, more than 34,000 customers worldwide use SAP Business AI capabilities across SAP’s cloud-based solutions. This demonstrates growing trust in enterprise-grade AI technologies that can operate securely at scale.
SAP’s investment in Singapore extends beyond workforce development programs. The company continues to collaborate closely with local universities and research institutions.
In March 2025, SAP announced a partnership with the National University of Singapore under the Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP), supported by the Economic Development Board.
The initiative aims to recruit and train nine AI researchers from local universities by 2030. These researchers will contribute directly to SAP’s AI projects in Singapore while gaining valuable industry experience.
To date, three researchers have already joined the program, marking strong progress toward the long-term objective.
As AI continues to reshape industries, SAP’s investment in talent development and research positions Singapore as a key contributor to the future of enterprise artificial intelligence.
With a rapidly expanding engineering workforce, a growing portfolio of AI patents, and strong partnerships with government agencies and universities, SAP Labs East Asia Singapore is becoming one of the company’s most important global AI hubs.
The partnership with IMDA not only creates exciting career opportunities for aspiring AI professionals but also strengthens Singapore’s role in the global AI economy. By nurturing the next generation of AI scientists and machine learning engineers, SAP is helping build a future where responsible, reliable, and scalable AI solutions drive business innovation worldwide.
SAP Labs’ collaboration with IMDA represents a major step forward for Singapore’s AI ecosystem. Through strategic investments in talent development, research, and enterprise AI innovation, SAP is creating opportunities for local professionals while contributing to global technological advancement.
As demand for AI expertise continues to grow, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in preparing the workforce for the future. With Singapore serving as a key innovation hub, SAP is well-positioned to lead the next wave of enterprise AI transformation and deliver impactful solutions to businesses around the world.
