Intelligent CIO APAC Issue 68 | Page 11

NEWS

Microsoft launches AI QuickStart programme in Singapore to accelerate enterprise AI adoption

Microsoft has launched the AI QuickStart programme in Singapore with support from the Infocomm Media Development Authority and United Overseas Bank to accelerate enterprise AI adoption.

The initiative helps digitally mature enterprises known as Digital Leaders rapidly deploy practical, enterprise-ready AI solutions. AI QuickStart focuses on key business areas including knowledge mining, customer engagement, operations automation, content creation and conversational analytics.
Curated solutioning services based on proven large language model architectures with responsible AI guardrails will be customised to business needs.
Eligible enterprises may receive funding support from IMDA and UOB.
The programme was officially launched by Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, alongside leaders from Microsoft, IMDA and UOB.
Projects will be completed within three months, with costs capped at S $ 20,000 per project, covering cloud and compute resources as well as professional services.
Microsoft is among the first technology partners under IMDA’ s GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative to roll out such an offering, enabling enterprises to translate AI experimentation into measurable business outcomes.
As a programme partner, UOB will support participating firms through its UOB FinLab AI Ready programme, offering advisory support and financing packages.
Building on earlier initiatives such as Copilot for SMEs, AI QuickStart aims to move Singapore businesses beyond productivity gains towards scaled impact, helping them adopt AI securely, affordably and with confidence.

TECO secures RM311.5m Southeast Asia hyperscale data center contracts in Malaysia and Thailand

TECO Electric & Machinery has secured new hyperscale data center projects in Malaysia and Thailand for a US-based cloud service provider, reinforcing its Southeast Asia expansion strategy.

The contracts, valued at approximately RM311.5 million( NT $ 2.5 billion), cover power system integration and large-scale fiber-optic telecommunications infrastructure.
The Malaysia project centers on electrical package delivery for a hyperscale facility in a leading regional hub. TECO will oversee power system integration, engineering design and project management, with completion scheduled for April 2027.
In Thailand, TECO secured the fiber-optic telecommunications system package, including construction of the fiber backbone to support high-volume data transmission and advanced computing applications. The project is expected to conclude in December 2026 and represents TECO’ s first data center award in Thailand.
Following two Malaysia data center contracts in 2025 totaling 178 MW installed capacity, TECO anticipates continued order growth across Southeast Asia and deeper participation in the global AI and cloud infrastructure supply chain.
Chairman Morris Li said the awards highlight TECO’ s engineering integration strength and proven project execution capabilities across Southeast Asia.
As global demand for AI computing and cloud services accelerates in 2026, TECO aims to deliver reliable, high-efficiency and flexible one-stop data center solutions, strengthening its role as a key AI data center infrastructure provider in Asia-Pacific.
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