Singapore AI Hub to Create 100 Tech Jobs in 3 Years

Singapore-based tech giant Sea Limited is betting big on homegrown AI talent with a new research center that promises to reshape the country's tech landscape.

The company's Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence will focus on developing cutting-edge AI technology while training the next generation of AI specialists. Over the next three years, the center expects to hire at least 100 people for research, engineering, and product development roles.

Sea Limited operates major platforms across Southeast Asia, including e-commerce site Shopee and digital entertainment services. Now the company is channeling those resources into three core areas: advancing foundation AI models, deploying research into real-world products, and nurturing AI-native talent.

The center is already producing results. Compass Max v3.5, a massive 245-billion-parameter language model built specifically for Southeast Asian languages and e-commerce, is currently powering AI features across Shopee's platform.

"This reflects our long-term commitment to Singapore," said Forrest Li, Sea's Chairman and CEO. The investment aligns with Singapore's National AI Strategy 2.0, supported by the government's Digital Industry Singapore office.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one company growing bigger. The AI Centre of Excellence represents a broader shift in how Singapore is building its tech future from the ground up.

The center will contribute to Singapore's wider AI ecosystem, creating opportunities for local talent to work on products with global reach. These aren't just jobs but career-building positions in emerging fields like AI engineering and frontier model development.

Government officials see this as validation of Singapore's strategy. "This investment strengthens our position as a global AI hub with cutting-edge capabilities," said Philbert Gomez, Executive Director of Digital Industry Singapore.

By focusing on Southeast Asian languages and local business contexts, Sea is ensuring that AI development serves the region's unique needs. The approach could inspire other companies to invest in localized AI rather than relying solely on Western-developed models.

Singapore is proving that small nations can become major players in the global AI race through smart partnerships and strategic investment.