A*STAR Merges Two Research Institutes to Form New AI Hub

A*STAR has formed the A*STAR Institute of Advanced Intelligence and Computing (IAIC), a dedicated research institute focused on artificial intelligence created through the merger of two existing agencies. The new entity began operations on 1 July.

The IAIC brings together the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) and the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), two longstanding pillars of Singapore's public-sector R&D ecosystem. By consolidating their expertise, A*STAR aims to accelerate the development and deployment of AI and digital solutions across domains ranging from modelling and simulation to quantum and high-performance computing.

The restructuring signals a shift in how Singapore's government research apparatus approaches AI. Rather than operating parallel tracks in infocomm research and high-performance computing, the merged institute can pursue integrated projects where advances in one field directly feed the other. All ongoing projects from I2R and IHPC will continue under the IAIC name, ensuring research continuity.

The IAIC will also explore digital technologies, advanced modelling, simulation, and quantum computing alongside its core AI mission. This breadth reflects A*STAR's strategy of positioning AI not as a standalone discipline but as an enabler that intersects with Singapore's broader science and technology priorities.

Why it matters for Singapore: This merger is a structural bet by Singapore's lead science agency that AI research needs tighter integration with high-performance computing and infocomm capabilities. As global competition for AI talent and compute resources intensifies, having a single, streamlined institute reduces duplication and gives researchers clearer career pathways. For Singapore's Smart Nation ambitions, the IAIC provides a unified government R&D front that can respond faster to industry needs and emerging technology shifts.