Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a significant investment of an additional S$12 billion in its Singapore cloud infrastructure over the next four years. This move doubles the company’s initial investment of S$11.5 million made in 2023, reflecting the growing demand for cloud services in the region.
The increased investment aims to support the rising customer demand for cloud services in Singapore. Priscilla Chong, AWS Singapore’s country manager, highlighted that the investment would not only benefit customers but also contribute to the local economy through initiatives such as upskilling the digital workforce, developing renewable energy projects, and creating a positive impact in the communities where AWS operates.
AWS expects this substantial investment to contribute approximately S$23.7 billion to Singapore’s gross domestic product by 2023 and support about 12,300 jobs in the AWS data center supply chain through 2028. The company currently supports over 4,800 full-time jobs at local businesses annually, as detailed in AWS’s Singapore economic impact report.
In addition to the infrastructure investment, AWS is set to launch a flagship program called AWS AI Spring to drive the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Singapore. This initiative will see AWS collaborating with local government agencies to promote AI adoption within the public sector and various industries.
For example, AWS will work with the Infocomm Media Development Authority on generative AI workshops aimed at digitally mature local enterprises. The company has also partnered with health tech agency Synapxe to develop data and AI applications for healthcare providers, enabling them to harness data analytics and AI solutions within healthcare systems.
Moreover, AWS will join forces with universities, polytechnics, and the Institute of Technical Education to enhance AI learning and triple the pool of AI practitioners to 15,000 within the next five years. The goal is to train 5,000 individuals annually on AI skills from 2024 to 2026 through these educational institutions.
Overall, these initiatives reflect AWS’s commitment to driving innovation, digital transformation, and economic growth in Singapore while fostering collaborations with the public and private sectors to advance the adoption of cloud services and AI technologies.
