New AI lab focused on energy efficiency launched by Univers with Microsoft, AMD, NUS as partners

[SINGAPORE] A new artificial intelligence (AI) lab that aims to help businesses use the technology to be more energy efficient was launched on Tuesday (Oct 28), on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week.

The AI lab, launched by resource and carbon management solution provider Univers, will have tech companies Microsoft and AMD, as well as the National University of Singapore (NUS) as its partners. The initiative is also supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

Univers did not share the amount invested to set up the AI lab, except that it operates on a model of co-investment where Univers and its partners share the cost of developing and scaling solutions.

Discovery projects will also be jointly sponsored, while those that have reached the incubation and scaling phases may involve commercial agreements or cost-sharing arrangements.

By utilising the different skill sets of each of its partners, the lab aims to produce AI solutions that have real-world applications for businesses in the energy and utilities, public and enterprise infrastructure, transportation and logistics, as well as manufacturing and industrial sectors.

For the energy and utilities sector, potential outcomes could include grid optimisation, better renewable energy performance and predictive maintenance.

Microsoft will contribute its cloud and AI capabilities to help scale industrial and energy-efficiency solutions, while AMD will provide AI hardware to power intelligence and analytics. NUS will be partnering on applied research and talent development through internship and career programmes, and IMDA will advise on responsible and sustainable AI practices.

Besides bringing in Univers’ AI and Internet of Things solutions, the company will also oversee the strategy, operations and delivery of all projects and outcomes of the lab.

The AI lab will be headquartered in Singapore, which will serve as a test bed for new AI solutions. Univers did not state the number of people hired for this new initiative, but said that the local team – which comprises the head, data scientists and industry domain experts – will be in charge of its global strategy and idea generation.

SEE ALSO

Other Univers centres overseas will focus on scaling and adapting these solutions for their local markets.

Speaking at its launch on Tuesday (Oct 28), Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How said that the AI lab brings together different parts of the value chain in the energy and sustainability ecosystem, as well as those in the digital and AI sectors.

“AI is really an intersection of these two powerful forces. The project exemplifies the kind of changes and preservation we are looking at in our economy. Greening our economy – not just doing things greener, more energy efficient – but also looking at opportunities as we think about a greener economy globally and regionally,” he said.

“At the same time, harnessing the power of digitalisation and AI to transform industries. We want to ride the wave from using AI to do things better – more productive, more efficient… new opportunities, new business models, new sectors,” Tan added.