AI Apex Asia 2024 Celebrates Successful Launch in Singapore

Saturday, June 8, 2024

The inaugural AI Apex Asia 2024, held on June 5th, 2024, at Lazada One in Singapore, concluded with tremendous success. Organized by the newly established AI Apex Asia, a non-profit organization committed to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) across the continent, the event served as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration and showcasing Asia’s growing dominance in the global AI landscape.

Themed “The Asia Advantage,” this exclusive event gathered over a hundred esteemed guests, including top researchers, developers, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors from across Asia. The conference offered a valuable platform for these key stakeholders to exchange ideas, tackle critical challenges, explore AI opportunities, and collectively pave the way for Asia’s continued leadership in this transformative technology.

AI Apex Asia 2024 was meticulously designed to foster collaboration and drive thought leadership within the AI community. The program commenced with insightful keynotes from prominent 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 of AI Singapore.

The conference featured engaging panel discussions, live demonstrations showcasing the latest AI technologies and applications, and productive networking opportunities. Attendees departed feeling empowered and inspired, armed with new insights and connections to drive the region’s AI ambitions forward.

Agenda Highlights

• 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 Recap
Esteemed speakers delivered thought-provoking keynote addresses on the future of AI and the AI industry landscape in Singapore.

• Prof Singh: Explored Asia’s edge in manufacturing and robotics, its vibrant developer community, and tech-savvy populace in his talk “Asia’s Advantage: Leading in the Age of AI.” He also discussed how integrating AI and blockchain boosts Asia’s global AI leadership.
• Emad Mostaque: Founder of Stability AI, emphasized accessible AI’s transformative potential in his keynote “Open-source AI by the People, for the People.”
• Laurence Liew: AI Singapore’s Director shared insights on “Leveraging Singapore’s AI Capabilities for Global Influence,” stressing a forward-thinking AI adoption strategy.

Engaging Panel Discussions Highlights
Experts discussed pivotal themes shaping AI’s trajectory.

• “Where Mind Meets Machine – Unlocking the Future of Robotics and Embodied AI”: Explored cutting-edge developments in intelligent robotics. Panelists included Junbo Chen, Xinhua Liu, and Lin Shao, eminent in robotics and embodied AI.
• “The Convergence of AI and Web3”: Explored blockchain’s potential to transform AI solutions. Speakers included Michael Heinrich, Brian Liang, Prof. Liu Yang, Dr. George, and Bell Beh.
• “Asia AI’s Playbook: Path to Growth, Revenue, Defensibility, and Capital Markets”: Industry leaders discussed strategies for sustainable growth, revenue generation, and market access. Panelists included Joe Yan, Danny Goh, Hao Wang, and James Liu.

Curated Networking Opportunities Recap
The conference facilitated valuable connections among attendees through dedicated networking sessions and social events. AI professionals, academics, industry leaders, and investors connected, exchanged ideas, and explored potential collaborations.

Keynote Highlights

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.”

Emad Mostaque, Founder of Stability AI: “AI needs to be fundamentally open and transparent, from the code to the data, ensuring it serves the entire society and not just a select few. By integrating these intelligent systems into our government, healthcare, and educational sectors, we create a foundation for a more equitable society. Moreover, the future of AI governance must embrace democratic processes to ensure these technologies enhance, not hinder, our communal and personal sovereignties.”

Laurence Liew, Director of Al Singapore: “A proactive approach to AI development is crucial for empowering startups and SMBs in Singapore. As government programmes and institutions nurture the growth of AI companies, it’s essential that they also enable these companies to retain their intellectual rights. This approach ensures that startups and SMBs can harness AI effectively and collaboratively. By the end of next year, we anticipate that most SMBs in Singapore will be utilising AI to significantly enhance their productivity and capabilities in everyday business operations.”

A Defining Era for AI in Asia

AI Apex Asia 2024 marked a significant milestone, highlighting Asia’s pivotal role in the global AI discourse and establishing a blueprint for forthcoming regional partnerships and conferences. Moving forward, AI Apex Asia pledges to sustain this momentum, spearheading vital discussions and advancements, solidifying Asia’s leadership in AI. This inaugural event signals the start of a thrilling voyage towards a more interconnected, technologically advanced future—an era where participants can influence AI’s evolution, not just in Asia but across the globe.

• AI Apex Asia 2024: Pioneering Conference Ignites AI Leadership In Asia