Singapore must invest in both AI and quantum, SGTech figures argue

· Politics · Singapore

Singapore should not wait to "figure out" artificial intelligence before making its next big technology bet: it must invest in both AI and quantum computing at the same time, according to a commentary published by CNA. The authors, Gavin Chua and Gunasekharan Chellappan of the industry association SGTech, frame AI as today's imperative and quantum as potentially tomorrow's advantage for the country. The piece argues the two tracks are not sequential choices but parallel priorities for a small, trade-dependent economy that has built its growth on staying ahead of technology shifts. It does not detail specific funding levels, agencies or timelines. The commentary lands as governments and companies worldwide weigh where to place long-term technology bets amid a rapid build-out of AI infrastructure and research.

Why it matters：Small, open economies that depend on trade and investment must pick technology bets early, and how Singapore balances AI against emerging fields like quantum will shape its competitiveness and the region's research and capital flows.

Key points

  • The commentary was written by Gavin Chua and Gunasekharan Chellappan of SGTech, an industry association.
  • It casts AI as today's imperative and quantum as a possible future advantage.
  • No funding figures, government agencies or timelines are specified.

Sources (original reporting)

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