AI Apex Asia 2024 concludes with resounding success, highlighting Asia's AI leadership

The inaugural AI Apex Asia 2024, held on June 5th, 2024, at Lazada One, Singapore, concluded with resounding success. Organised by AI Apex Asia, a newly established non-profit organisation dedicated to driving artificial intelligence (AI) advancements across the continent, the event served as a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration and showcasing Asia's burgeoning dominance in the global AI landscape.

Themed "The Asia Advantage," this exclusive event brought together over a hundred esteemed guests, including leading researchers, developers, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors from across Asia. The conference provided a valuable forum for these key stakeholders to exchange ideas, explore critical challenges and opportunities in AI, and collectively chart a path for Asia's continued leadership in this transformative technology.

AI Apex Asia 2024 was strategically designed to foster collaboration and drive thought leadership within the AI community. The program kicked off with insightful keynotes from renowned figures such as Lee Yi Shyan, former Senior Minister of State; Prof Inderjit Singh, a former member of the Singapore Parliament; Emad Mostaque, founder of Stability AI; and Laurence Liew, Director at AI Singapore.

The conference continued with engaging panel discussions, live demonstrations showcasing the latest AI technologies and applications, and productive networking opportunities. Attendees left feeling empowered and inspired, equipped with new insights and connections to drive the region's ambitions in AI forward.

·Inspiring Opening Remarks: Mr. Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China and OUE REIT Management Pte Ltd, and former Senior Minister of State, delivered an opening address to a room of AI researchers, developers, and entrepreneurs. He underscored Singapore's commitment to cementing its status as a dynamic regional epicenter for AI talent and innovation, aligned with the goals of its National AI Strategy 2.0. Mr. Lee spotlighted Singapore's competitive advantages, such as its advanced digital infrastructure, business-accommodating policies, and a well-educated workforce, positioning it as the perfect hub for cutting-edge AI enterprises. He extended a warm invitation to the global AI community to collaborate with Singapore and leverage its environment to propel their AI endeavours to new heights.

· Insightful Keynotes: Renowned figures delivered inspiring keynote speeches on the future of AI and the landscape of the AI industry in Singapore.

o Prof Singh's address, titled "Asia's Advantage: Leading the Charge in the Age of AI," delved into the region's exceptional capabilities in manufacturing and robotics, its dynamic developer ecosystem, and its technologically adept population. He also discussed how the integration of AI and blockchain technologies fortifies Asia's leadership in global AI development.

o Emad Mostaque, the founder of Stability AI, delivered a keynote on "Open-source AI by the People, for the People," emphasising the transformative power of accessible AI technologies.

o Laurence Liew, Director of AI Singapore, presented a policy talk on "Leveraging Singapore's AI Capabilities for Global Influence" which highlighted the importance of a forward-thinking approach to AI adoption.

Prof Inderjit Singh, President of WBAF Global Startup Committee and a former member of the Singapore Parliament: "With a 50% share in global manufacturing and home to 25% of the world's blockchain startups, along with its robust developer ecosystem geared for innovation, Asia is primed to leverage its manufacturing and software prowess to spearhead the AI revolution. Recent data from IBM's Global AI Adoption Index 2024 reflects this trajectory, indicating Asian countries and businesses outpacing their Western counterparts in embracing and accelerating AI adoption. If we collectively unlock the potential of these current and potential strengths, we can build a shared vision of a future where Asia leads the way in shaping the course of technological progress, fostering economic growth, and improving the lives of people across our region and beyond."