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It’s been 15 years since Google ventured into local waters, and the tech giant will continue its quest to deepen it commitment to Singapore. In its first-ever Google for Singapore event –graced by Deputy Prime Minister Mr Lawrence Wong – the company announced multiple initiatives across skilling, AI, and sustainability, along with the official opening of its third data centre facility in Jurong to enhance access to Google services.
First on the agenda list is improving the Skills Ignition SG (SISG) programme launched in 2020. A collaboration effort with the Singapore government, it has seen more than 5,500 individuals learning new skills and earning certification. As part of the evolutionary process, the initiative is receiving three key updates: enhanced traineeship programme to 60 Singaporeans, a new Digital Marketing and e-commerce track on Google Career Certificates, and expanded employer consortium for SISG graduates.
At the same time, the company will continue to grow in the area of AI technology. Google Cloud has teamed up with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) to co-create novel AI solutions that will improve how Singaporeans live and work, deepen capabilities in public service, and shape AI governance and ethics. This is the first public-private AI partnership between a global tech company and the Singapore National AI Office, which marks a significant milestone in AI growth.
The Infocomm Media Development (IMDA) and Media Literacy Council are two other organisations that are on Google’s list of partners. Together, they will be training 50,000 parents and children on online safety in the next 12 months, first by bringing the Be Internet Awesome (BIA) curriculum to primary schools. This includes sharing internet safety resources with educators and bringing the Google Online Safety Park to selected schools, so students can enjoy an interactive learning experience.
Rounding off the event is the company’s announcement of its first sustainability-focused grant through Google.org in Singapore. To tackle the ongoing climate crisis, the philanthropic arm is set to offer a US$1 million fund (S$1.4 million) to Mandai Nature, which will go into supporting the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solutions (SCeNe) Coalition. Comprising eight globally recognised environmental and conservation non-profit organisations, the Coalition plans to use the grant in the following areas:
- Develop an open-source web-based mapping tool to identify geographies in Southeast Asia that hold the key to carbon reduction, host rich biodiversity, and are home to local communities. Google employees will also volunteer their time to share their expertise with the Coalition to build the initial stages of the tool.
- Share information from ongoing projects to demonstrate and promote best practice in design, implementation, and monitoring of Nature-based Solutions. These learnings will be published in a report to provide guidance and recommendations to accelerate the implementation of and investment in high-quality nature-based solutions in the region.
- Aims to communicate widely about and raise investment for at least three Nature-based Solutions projects in Southeast Asia that deliver benefits to climate, nature and people.
As Google Singapore continues to grow, more initiatives and programmes to strengthen our social compact and leading position as a regional and global technology innovation hub can be expected. Here’s to further progress in the years to come, from personal development to cultivating eco-friendly practices.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
