Laurence Liew: AI Singapore

Success Stories

AI Singapore's Apprenticeship Programs have yielded impressive success stories, showcasing the potential of local talent. Laurence Liew highlights a notable example where a PhD graduate, after completing the apprenticeship, became a lead data scientist at a multinational corporation 1. Another success involved a dental chain that sought to automate dental charting using AI, reducing the manual process from 20 minutes to mere seconds. This project, part of the 100 Experiments initiative, led to the hiring of two apprentices by the dental chain 2.

We actually built that system up for them. And they were so happy with that, they actually made an offer to hire all three apprentices.

--- Laurence Liew

These stories underscore the program's effectiveness in transforming careers and advancing AI adoption in Singapore.

   

Training Strategy

The AI Apprenticeship Program at AI Singapore employs a unique training strategy that immerses participants in real-world challenges. Unlike typical internships, apprentices commit full-time to the program, receiving a stipend to support their living costs 3. Laurence Liew explains that the program seeks passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, not just computer science graduates, to foster a rich learning environment 3.

We test people who apply for the program, and we don't test them for computer science skills, because to be a good data scientist, ML or AI engineer, you don't necessarily need to have a computer science background.

--- Laurence Liew

This approach ensures that apprentices are well-prepared to tackle complex AI projects, contributing significantly to Singapore's AI ecosystem.