PwC has opened a new AI Hub in Singapore, designed to be a springboard for scalable, high-impact artificial intelligence solutions across Asia. Backed by a US$4 million investment over three years and supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the initiative signals PwC’s intent to deepen its AI capabilities while anchoring its innovation efforts in one of Asia’s most business-friendly ecosystems.

The AI Hub includes an AI factory – a dedicated engine room where AI solutions are developed, tested and scaled to meet the needs of key industries such as financial services, the public sector, and transport and logistics.

This facility is also expected to set industry benchmarks for responsible AI implementation and act as a catalyst for strategic collaborations with local and regional partners.

Building local talent, forging academic ties

Talent development sits at the heart of the Hub’s mission. Since launching in January 2025, the team has expanded from a trio of experts to 15 AI researchers and data scientists, with plans to reach 20 headcount in the next 12 to 15 months.

PwC is also partnering with higher education institutions like the National University of Singapore to offer internships and upskilling programmes that give students real-world exposure to AI engineering.

This educational bridge not only plugs talent gaps but also nurtures a future-ready workforce equipped to tackle the evolving demands of the digital economy. Internships and professional learning experiences are positioned to serve as on-ramps for aspiring AI professionals, giving them hands-on experience in a high-stakes, enterprise-grade environment.

Singapore as the natural launchpad

Singapore’s choice as the site of the AI Hub is no accident. PwC Singapore’s Executive Chairman Marcus Lam described the decision as “a tangible commitment to deliver on our renewed purpose” by putting AI to work in driving client success and internal transformation. He cited Singapore’s robust infrastructure, political and economic stability, and innovation-friendly policy environment as key enablers.

“As a popular regional HQ hub, Singapore is the natural fit to advance PwC’s AI ambitions,” said Lam. He also pointed out that this launch dovetails with PwC’s global rebrand, which aims to better reflect its modern approach to client service – one that’s anchored in value creation, sustainability, and technological agility.

EDB’s vote of confidence

The EDB, which has lent its support to the initiative, views the AI Hub as a strategic asset in the nation’s push to become a global AI leader.

Jermaine Loy, managing director at EDB, welcomed the move, saying the Hub “will build AI capabilities to support the needs of corporates, unlock in-house AI applications, and provide real-world learning opportunities for students in local educational institutes”.

Loy added that professional services firms like PwC are vital in accelerating AI adoption across sectors, and that this kind of private-sector leadership helps reinforce Singapore’s positioning as a magnet for AI talent and innovation.

Connecting to PwC’s global AI factory

PwC’s new hub doesn’t operate in isolation; it’s an integral part of the firm’s global AI ecosystem. According to Joe Atkinson, PwC’s global chief AI officer: “Singapore’s AI Hub will help power the responsible and trusted development of cutting-edge and scalable AI solutions” not just for Singapore, but for the wider region.

He noted that the hub links to PwC’s global AI factory network, which spans more than 40 territories, enabling knowledge sharing and innovation flow at scale. This interconnectivity ensures that AI breakthroughs in one market can be rapidly adapted and deployed elsewhere, making the factory model a multiplier of both talent and impact.

New brand, new era of transformation

The unveiling of the AI hub aligns with PwC’s broader push to help clients unlock AI’s enterprise-wide potential. The firm is rolling out initiatives focused on agentic AI, tech partnerships, and tailored industry solutions built on its proprietary models and frameworks.

These efforts aim to move beyond the hype of AI and get down to brass tacks – showing business leaders how to embed AI in core processes, drive efficiencies, and build future-proof strategies. With this investment, PwC is betting big on Singapore not just as a testbed, but as a launchpad for next-generation business transformation.

In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, where technology changes as quickly as the headlines, PwC’s move is more than a nod to innovation – it’s a decisive step in helping organisations get ahead of the curve.