SAP Labs, a key division of the German tech giant SAP, has partnered with Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to hire and train 50 artificial intelligence scientists and machine learning engineers.
The partnership was announced at SAP d-com Singapore 2026, the company's annual developer conference, attended by Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How.
Details of the AI Training Initiative
Through IMDA's TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) program, SAP Labs East Asia Singapore will onboard graduates and mid-career professionals over the next three years for a comprehensive 12-month training and mentorship regimen.
The curriculum emphasizes critical areas like generative AI, model orchestration, and enterprise AI agents, positioning participants at the forefront of AI advancements.
Trainees may also participate in rotations or short-term placements at SAP Labs facilities in Germany, the United States, and India, fostering global exposure.
Expansion and Historical Context
Since its 2023 commitment to AI growth, SAP Labs East Asia Singapore has tripled its workforce to nearly 400 engineers, with over 90 percent comprising local talent from institutions like the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
Launched in 2022 in collaboration with Singapore's Economic Development Board, the lab has secured close to 160 patents for AI innovations, including 57 in the past three years.
The team drives SAP Business AI integrations across cloud applications such as SAP S/4HANA, Intelligent Spend and Business Networks, and SAP SuccessFactors, serving more than 34,000 customers worldwide.
This initiative not only enhances enterprise AI reliability, security, and compliance but also aligns with Singapore's broader digital economy ambitions.
Building on prior efforts like the 2025 partnership with the National University of Singapore, SAP Labs solidifies its role as a pivotal AI development hub in the region.
The collaboration promises long-term impacts, including accelerated talent pipelines and innovation spillover for Southeast Asia's tech ecosystem.
Andrew Lee
