Google Cloud has reinforced its commitment to Singapore’s artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions with new product innovations, expanded partnerships, and greater data residency guarantees. The announcements were made at the company’s “AI Asia: Building Beyond Borders” conference, which took place in Singapore on 28 August.
Gemini everywhere: public cloud, on-premises, and at the edge
The company outlined its vision of “Gemini everywhere”, giving organisations in Singapore access to its AI capabilities in the public cloud with local data residency guarantees, in on-premises or disconnected environments, and at the edge.
Thomas Kurian, Chief Executive Officer of Google Cloud, said: “Singapore is the launchpad for AI in Asia, and today we’re making Google’s most capable models and AI tools available here. By bringing Gemini everywhere – in the public cloud with data residency guarantees, in on-premises or disconnected environments, and at the edge – we are unleashing a wave of innovation for both public sector organisations and businesses across industries. With AI, we are providing a potent catalyst for transformation and creating new economic opportunities.”
Google Cloud’s Singapore cloud region is among the first worldwide to offer expanded data residency guarantees for enterprise AI services, including Gemini 2.5 Flash on Vertex AI, Vertex AI Search, and NotebookLM Enterprise. This enables organisations to process AI workloads entirely within Singapore, addressing sovereignty and compliance requirements.
For organisations needing ultra-low latency or high-security setups, Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) is now offering Gemini on both air-gapped and connected configurations. This lets businesses and government agencies use advanced AI models while keeping data under local control. Agencies such as the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT), GovTech Singapore, and the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) will be among the first in Asia to adopt Gemini on GDC.
Partnerships with government, research, and enterprise
Google Cloud also announced a series of new and expanded collaborations with Singaporean organisations. These include CSIT, DBS Bank, FairPrice Group (FPG), GovTech Singapore, HTX, and the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Government agencies will benefit from new AI tools integrated into GovTech’s Government on Commercial Cloud (GCC) platform. This includes the ability to securely test and refine AI solutions through a proposed “AI agents sandbox” jointly developed by Google, GovTech, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Goh Wei Boon, Chief Executive of GovTech Singapore, said: “One of our priorities is to harness the potential of AI while ensuring that our systems and the services citizens and businesses rely on remain secure. Google Cloud has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the public sector with initiatives that enable the agile and responsible adoption of AI.”
In research, Google Cloud’s expanded guarantees have enabled NUS to pursue new applied AI projects in life sciences, focusing on genomics, medical imaging, and clinical data analysis.
In the private sector, DBS Bank expects more than SG$1 billion in economic value from its AI initiatives this year, citing its collaboration with Google Cloud as central to scaling generative AI use cases. FairPrice Group is also piloting “Store of Tomorrow” initiatives with Google Cloud-powered AI assistants, including smart shopping carts and personalised digital services.
Driving growth for regional enterprises
The company also announced the expansion of its AI Cloud Takeoff programme, run with Digital Industry Singapore (DISG). The initiative supports Asian enterprises with global ambitions by helping them navigate diverse data compliance frameworks while scaling AI-driven services internationally.
Through the programme, companies will gain access to Google Cloud credits, training licences, and consultancy support worth up to SG$500,000. DISG has also appointed additional partners, including Aimazing, Cloud Ace, Endava, NCS, Onepoint, OniGroup, PointStar, and Tridorian, to support participating enterprises.
Prominent homegrown firms including Carousell, Grab, Ninja Van, PropertyGuru, and Sea Limited are already working with Google Cloud to strengthen productivity and customer engagement with AI.
Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, was guest of honour at the event, highlighting Singapore’s commitment to building partnerships that generate practical AI solutions locally and globally.
