Workato Launches AI Lab in Singapore to Advance Applied AI and Talent Development
Workato Launches AI Lab in Singapore to Advance Applied AI and Talent Development
Synopsis
- Workato establishes its first AI Lab outside the US in Singapore to drive applied AI research and workforce readiness.
- Supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), the lab will create 65 high-value jobs and strengthen industry-academia collaboration.
- The initiative builds on Workato’s AI Institute Alliance with local universities and polytechnics.
- The lab aims to pioneer autonomous agent systems, digital twins, and generative AI applications for business transformation.
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The AI Lab, co-located at Workato’s Suntec City office and the i3 Building at the National University of Singapore, will serve as a bridge between research and enterprise. It aims to translate academic innovation into deployable, measurable AI applications while nurturing the next generation of local AI talent. Workato plans to hire at least sixty-five engineers, researchers, and developers, adding to its current team of about one hundred seventy employees in Singapore. “By working together with postgraduate students, researchers, and business leaders, we are co-developing practical AI solutions that address real-world challenges and help shape the workforce of the future,” said Ee Shan Sim, Head of the AI Lab Singapore, in a statement cited by the EDB. She emphasized that the lab’s mission is to connect research and enterprise innovation to ensure Singapore maintains its edge in applied AI and workforce development.
Workato’s Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia-Pacific, June Lee, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitments to Singapore’s government to create high-value employment and accelerate safe AI deployment. The company’s focus includes developing autonomous agent frameworks, establishing robust governance models, and deepening collaboration with institutes of higher learning. Lee noted that the lab will explore how multiple AI agents can work seamlessly across functions such as human resources, finance, and IT to automate tasks like employee onboarding. “We want to ensure a seamless experience so that these processes may not need any human intervention at all,” she said.
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, who officiated the launch, welcomed the move as a significant boost to Singapore’s AI ecosystem, which already hosts more than sixty AI labs. She commended Workato’s initiative to build test frameworks for evaluating agent performance and minimizing risks of autonomous systems behaving unpredictably. The minister also urged the company to collaborate with GovTech, which had introduced its own AI governance framework in 2025 to ensure responsible use of AI. “AI agents can help reduce time spent on manual work, improve accuracy, and lower costs,” Teo said, adding that Workato’s partnerships with institutes of higher learning could open opportunities to upskill the broader workforce through programs such as SkillsFuture-supported training.
Philbert Gomez, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of Digital Industry Singapore, said the establishment of Workato’s AI Lab will further strengthen ties between local universities and industry players. “This initiative will foster greater collaboration between Singapore’s institutes of higher learning and industry partners, accelerating the translation of AI research into innovative applications and reinforcing Singapore’s position as a global leader in AI,” Gomez said.
Workato’s CEO and Co-founder Vijay Tella described the Singapore lab as a key part of the company’s global vision to build intelligent, connected enterprises. “As we advance autonomous agents and multi-agent orchestration, we’re not just building new technology—we’re deepening the connection between people, processes, and technology,” Tella said, as reported by CRN Asia. He noted that Singapore’s strong innovation ecosystem and rich talent base make it an ideal hub for scaling applied AI solutions that can transform industries.
The launch of the AI Lab builds on Workato’s AI Institute Alliance, unveiled at the World of Workato 2025 conference in September. This alliance includes partnerships with leading institutions such as Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and the National University of Singapore. Through the alliance, Workato has already trained more than three thousand students and educators in automation and integration technologies. The new lab will extend this impact by offering hands-on experience in building AI agents, generative AI systems, and digital twin applications designed to optimize enterprise operations.
Founded in Silicon Valley, Workato has over one thousand employees worldwide and a presence across fifteen offices, including a second global headquarters in Singapore. The company serves more than twelve thousand customers globally, delivering enterprise automation solutions that unify data, processes, and user experiences through its AI-driven platform. According to the Singapore Economic Development Board and The Straits Times, the company’s decision to anchor its first overseas AI Lab in Singapore underscores the city-state’s attractiveness as a regional innovation hub, combining strong governance, a skilled workforce, and a collaborative ecosystem that brings research and enterprise together.
Workato’s new AI Lab signals the next phase in Singapore’s ambition to become a leader in applied AI. By investing in autonomous agents, digital twins, and multi-agent orchestration, the company is helping to shape a future where intelligent systems work alongside humans to create smarter, more efficient enterprises. As Workato’s leaders and Singapore’s government partners align on this vision, the initiative stands as a testament to the nation’s continued focus on responsible innovation, skill development, and global competitiveness in the AI era.
This article draws from reports and statements by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), The Straits Times, and CRN Asia.
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About Workato
Workato is a Silicon Valley–based enterprise automation company recognized globally as a leader in agentic orchestration—the integration of AI-driven systems that unify data, workflows, and user experiences across organizations. With more than 1,000 employees and 15 offices worldwide, including a second headquarters in Singapore, Workato serves over 12,000 customers. Its platform enables businesses to automate complex operations, connecting people, processes, and technologies through intelligent, no-code solutions.
The company recently launched its first AI Lab outside the United States in Singapore, supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), to accelerate applied AI innovation and talent development. By collaborating with institutes of higher learning and government partners, Workato aims to advance autonomous agent research, digital twin systems, and generative AI applications. Through its AI Institute Alliance, Workato has already trained over 3,000 students and educators, strengthening Singapore’s position as a global hub for applied AI and workforce transformation.
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