PROJECT ROUND-UP
1. SINGAPORE
Google Cloud unveiled new innovations to support Singapore’ s AI ambitions and position the country as a launchpad for Asian enterprises. The announcements include expanded data residency guarantees for enterprise AI services, advancements in Google Distributed Cloud that bring Gemini on-premises and agentic applications to transform customer experiences. Google Cloud’ s Singapore cloud region is among the first globally to offer expanded data residency guarantees for the company’ s most in-demand enterprise AI services. With this development, organisations across all sectors can now not only store their data at-rest but also perform Machine Learning processing for their AI workloads entirely within Singapore. Thomas Kurian, Chief Executive Officer, Google Cloud, said:“ Singapore is the launchpad for AI in Asia and we’ re making Google’ s most capable models and AI tools available here. By bringing Gemini everywhere we are unleashing a wave of innovation for public sector organisations and businesses across industries.”
2. JAPAN
FPT has formed a joint venture with Japan-based Smart Holdings to establish FPT Smart Technologies Japan Co( FST-Japan) headquartered in Nagoya. The partnership, with FPT holding 49 % and Smart Holdings 51 %, will accelerate Digital Transformation in Japan’ s manufacturing sector, focusing first on the automotive industry. The move addresses rising demand driven by Software-Defined Vehicles, carbon neutrality and Mobilityas-a-Service. FPT brings expertise in AI, digital engineering and vision-language models, while Smart Holdings contributes deep knowledge of Japan’ s manufacturing landscape and ties with leading automotive companies. FST-Japan will begin with projects for a major automotive client, expanding later to other manufacturers. Priorities include digitising design drawings, improving solution proposals and helping firms meet strict quality, cost and delivery standards. The venture expects to generate about US $ 20 million over five years.“ This establishment is part of our long-term vision to advance digitalisation,” said Do Van Khac, FPT Japan CEO.
3. USA
McLane Company, one of the USA’ s largest US distributors, has opened a new technology hub in Austin, Texas, to accelerate its AI and digital strategy. The hub will support around 100 teammates across cybersecurity, data, AI and cloud engineering, bringing the company’ s Information Technology and Digital( IT & D) team together for collaboration and innovation. Located in the leading US tech hub, the site enables McLane to access top talent to advance its Digital Transformation. The company is investing in intelligent digital infrastructure to deliver frictionless experiences, automation services and real-time visibility, powered by advanced AI-driven solutions. The IT & D team is led by Murat Genc, Chief Information & Digital Officer, who joined McLane in 2024 from Whirlpool.“ It’ s an exciting time to lead McLane’ s technology journey,” said Genc.“ Our strategic investments in digital supply chain, cloud, data and AI foundation are laying the groundwork for a future-ready model.”
4. SAUDI ARABIA
GBTEC has expanded into Saudi Arabia with the launch of GBTEC Arabia Limited, following successful office openings in the US and UK in 2024. The new entity will be led by Co-founder, Marc Stromberg, and Sales Director, Moayed Mohamed, strengthening the company’ s global presence in intelligent Business Process Management, Enterprise Architecture, Digital Process Automation and Governance, Risk and Compliance.“ The launch of our Saudi Arabian office represents a crucial milestone in our global growth journey,” said Mohamed.“ With a local presence, we can better support customers and partners as they navigate digital transformation initiatives.” GBTEC is already engaged with major Saudi institutions including the Communication and Space Technology Commission, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and the Royal Commission for AlUla. As one of the first SaaS providers to offer local hosting of its BIC Platform via SCCC Alibaba Cloud, GBTEC is supporting Vision 2030’ s goals of economic diversification and digital excellence.
www. intelligentcxo. com
33