Google expands Singapore AI pact across public sector
Thu, 21st May 2026 (Today)
Google and Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information have expanded their collaboration through a National AI Partnership, broadening work on artificial intelligence across the Singapore Government.
Led by the ministry, the memorandum builds on a public-private AI agreement signed in 2022 with Singapore's Smart Nation and Digital Government Group. The new partnership focuses on public services, research, workforce training, business adoption and AI safety.
Health and life sciences are among the first areas of work. Google DeepMind is exploring a collaboration with Singapore public health clusters through its AI co-clinician research initiative, which looks at how AI systems can support doctors and patients during care.
The agreement also covers scientific research. Google DeepMind is working with the National Research Foundation to train local researchers on agentic AI tools for science, while Google and A*STAR plan to help move laboratory discoveries into applications in materials and life sciences.
A*STAR plans to equip researchers and staff with secure AI-enabled tools on Google Cloud, including tools for hypothesis generation and analysis. The aim is to help researchers draw insights from scientific datasets in a governed environment while protecting intellectual property.
Outside the laboratory, the partnership includes work on disability and inclusion. Google DeepMind is developing a Gemma-powered running assistant for blind and low-vision athletes and is working with SG Enable to test and refine the product for real-world use.
Education focus
Education is another major part of the agreement. Advanced AI functions within Google Workspace for Education have already been made available to educators from primary schools to junior colleges in Singapore.
The Ministry of Education and Google are now expanding that collaboration to strengthen the ministry's use of AI in teaching and learning, including educator training and upskilling. These efforts are part of a broader approach to assess how enterprise software can be applied and scaled to support education outcomes.
Google is also continuing programmes under its Majulah AI initiative for different groups in Singapore. They include Skills Ignition SG with the Infocomm Media Development Authority for jobseekers, Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First and AI Cloud Takeoff for startups and developers, and Gemini Academy for the wider public, including older people.
Business and security
For industry, Google will support innovation efforts among companies and startups in Singapore. Following the opening of its Singapore Engineering Center, Google Cloud's expanded team of Forward Deployed Engineers will work with Singapore-based companies on AI adoption.
The broader partnership also builds on existing work by Google Cloud with organisations including AI Singapore, the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies, GovTech Singapore, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency and the National University of Singapore.
Another part of the agreement centres on AI safety and governance. Singapore has been testing so-called computer use agents in real-world settings to understand how they behave, the risks they pose and what governance frameworks may be needed.
A joint white paper by Google, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, GovTech Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority sets out findings and recommendations from their AI Agents Sandbox. The work examined practices for using such agents in tasks including software testing and social assistance applications.
Google DeepMind is also collaborating with the Infocomm Media Development Authority and MLCommons on multimodal and multilingual safety benchmarks. The work is intended to support the deployment of AI systems that reflect local languages and cultures.
Singapore's digital development ministry said the agreement reflects a broader push to apply AI across the public sector and the economy. It spans several government agencies and brings together research, operational trials and workforce development under one framework.
"This partnership builds on years of close collaboration with Google, and we are pleased to take it to the next level. Bringing frontier AI into our public services and enterprises is central to Singapore's AI ambitions. This partnership, spanning across multiple agencies, allows us to deploy it at scale," said Mr Chng Kai Fong, Permanent Secretary, Digital Development and Information, Singapore Government.
Google said the Singapore partnership will also serve as a model for how its AI research and product teams can work with governments on national-level programmes. It pointed to Google DeepMind's presence in Singapore as part of that effort.
"As Singapore advances its National AI Strategy the focus now shifts to deploying frontier AI to accelerate real-world impact for the country. Through this expanded partnership with the Singapore Government, we are putting AI into action by combining the best of our technology, R&D expertise, and local talent to accelerate AI for the public good. This also creates a scalable blueprint for responsible AI innovation, built in Singapore for the world," said Mr Ben King, Country Managing Director, Google Singapore.