Singapore becomes a new base for Google DeepMind's AI research

Google DeepMind is opening a research lab in Singapore to support its growing AI work across Asia-Pacific.

Singapore's push to grow its tech strengths has made it a key location for work in AI. With more than half of the global population living in Asia-Pacific, the region is set for major growth, and Singapore's plans under National AI Strategy 2.0 and Smart Nation 2.0 continue to draw international talent. Against this backdrop, Google DeepMind is expanding in the country with a new research lab.

The move builds on Google's long presence in Asia-Pacific and comes after Google DeepMind more than doubled its team in the region over the past year. The new Singapore-based team will include research scientists, software engineers, and AI specialists who study how AI can be used across different fields.

Much of the work will be directed toward enhancing Gemini and other core models, so improving their ability to serve people in a region with diverse languages and cultures. The team will also look into how these models can support Google products and Cloud customers. Another part of the lab's work will involve studying how AI can meet real needs in local communities, which means working closely with government bodies, the private sector, civil society, and academic partners.

Google DeepMind says it is already seeing strong results from its partnerships in Singapore. Several projects show how groups across research, government, and education are using AI when given access to the right tools.

One example comes from a team at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI). They used AlphaFold to help uncover new links between the immune system and Parkinson's disease. Their findings may guide earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatment paths.

In the public sector, Google is working with GovTech, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Together, they created an AI agent sandbox that lets teams safely test autonomous systems aimed at improving public service work and internal processes.

Another major effort centers on Southeast Asian languages. Google worked with AI Singapore to launch Project Aquarium, an open data platform that supports language research in the region. They also expanded their support for SEA-LION, a set of LLMs designed to reflect local cultural and linguistic features. This work helped enable SEA-LION v4, the program's first multimodal model, which draws on Gemma 3's multimodal base.

In education, students in Singapore now have one-year free access to the Google AI Pro Plan, which offers upgraded tools for learning and creativity. Google also brought Gemini Academy to IMDA's Singapore Digital Office to help more residents build basic AI literacy.

The startup community is another key part of this effort. Through Google for Startups: AI First, local founders receive support to develop AI-based ideas that address economic, social, or environmental challenges.

These projects show how research, technical skill, and public purpose can come together in Singapore.

As the new lab opens, Google DeepMind says it aims to work closely with partners across the region to ensure AI benefits more communities. The goal is to help shape AI systems that serve local needs and reflect the cultures of the people who use them.