Thales and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) have teamed up the launch of cortAIx SG to extend the Group’s global AI programme to Asia, and further accelerate on AI research and industrialisation.
Building on this strong foundation, cortAIx SG will serve as an important accelerator, identifying critical challenges and developing high-impact AI solutions for Thales’ business units across Singapore and the broader Asia region.
The centre will play a key role in driving the development and implementation of trusted AI systems in complex and mission-critical environments. Thus, it will strengthen Thales’ R&D capabilities and long-term innovation footprint in Singapore.
cortAIx SG is expected to position Thales Singapore as a hub for AI leadership and joint innovation, aligned with the nation’s ambitions under the National AI Strategy.
The centre will be driven by several key initiatives: including projects that enhance utilisation of knowledge and sensor suites to aid planning and decision support; increase operational efficiency; and drive human-autonomy teaming.
Thales will work with the Singaporean government and ecosystem to grow domain and technology capabilities in Singapore, bringing together cutting-edge technology, talent and research to AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable, and operationally effective.
Also, Thales extended the scope of a strategic partnership with HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency).
The extension is for the purpose of establishing a joint-lab focused on AI-enabled technologies, local capability development and the formation of best practices for trustworthy AI within the local context.
Thales will support HTX in translating early-stage technical solutions into concrete systems that can be integrated into HTX’s homeland security programmes to drive rapid innovation and early adoption;
They will also jointly develop a shared R&D strategy and future technology roadmap relevant to public safety and security.
Also, Thales signed a memorandum of understanding with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Changi Airport Group, the International Centre for Aviation Innovation, SATS and Singapore Airlines to foster greater innovation and collaboration at the aviation ecosystem level.
Under this MOU, the partners will work together to identify key challenges to solve and undertake joint innovation projects to develop solutions.
They are setting up an Avionics Lab in Singapore, the first of its kind for Thales outside France. This complements the AIR Lab jointly set up by CAAS and Thales in 2019 to optimise air transport operations in the region.
Further, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Thales have set up a joint lab for AI-enabled technologies, which can augment combat systems currently in use by the Singapore Armed Forces to efficiently handle drone threats.
The lab will work on joint projects, the first of which is related to Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and advanced sensors.
These collective partnerships will see Thales grow its pool of AI experts in Singapore to over several dozen in the next three years. This will add to the Group’s global cortAIx network of 800 highly-skilled AI and data specialists.
