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Advancing R&D, talent development and the region’s energy transition

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 January 2026 – ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world’s fastest growing data centre colocation providers headquartered in Singapore, today announced two significant initiatives that strengthen Singapore’s position in the global digital and energy transition: the launch of the FutureGrid Accelerator, Southeast Asia’s first live High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)-powered AI infrastructure testbed; and a suite of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with four Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to advance skills development and expand internship and early career pathways for Singaporeans entering the workforce. These initiatives align with national efforts to support talent graduating into a challenging job market, while building the specialised capabilities required for next generation power and digital infrastructure.

Officiated by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade & Industry, the announcement underscores a national push to build capabilities not only for AI-ready data centres, but also for the wider energy ecosystem, as Singapore and the region pursue net-zero ambitions.

FutureGrid Accelerator: HVDC innovation for AI and the wider energy transition
Located at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) Electrification and Power Grids Centre (EPGC) on Jurong Island, the FutureGrid Accelerator is a pioneering initiative jointly developed by STT GDC and LITEON, supported by the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) and NTU deep-tech spinoff Amperesand. It is the region’s first live testbed demonstrating HVDC integration with real AI workloads, addressing the high-density and high-resiliency requirements of next-generation AI computing.

While central to the future of AI data centre architecture, HVDC represents a broader opportunity: it is a foundational technology that supports more efficient, resilient and integrated power systems. This is critical for Singapore’s long-term energy strategy, its transition to low-carbon energy grids and the region’s increasing need for sustainable power delivery.

Why HVDC Matters: A scalable platform beyond the data centre
As AI and high-performance computing workloads scale, traditional alternating current (AC) power systems face inherent limitations. HVDC overcomes these constraints and delivers several transformative benefits:

• Up to 30% overall energy savings compared to conventional AC systems
• A reduction of up to 400 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) per megawatt per year
• 45% lower copper consumption and a 30–40% smaller power-infrastructure footprint
• The ability to support ultra-high-density racks exceeding 1,000kW, with higher reliability and lower cost
• Native compatibility with renewable power sources able to feed directly to the direct-current system, avoiding inefficient power conversions

“The FutureGrid Accelerator is a strategic investment in Singapore’s long-term digital leadership,” said Bruno Lopez, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres. “By bringing together global industry leaders like LITEON with local deep-tech talent such as Amperesand, we are building infrastructure that is ready for future AI workloads while pioneering sustainable practices and setting new benchmarks for energy efficiency and carbon-conscious innovation. This initiative reflects our commitment to future-ready technologies and reinforces Singapore’s position as a global Centre of Excellence for advanced sustainable digital infrastructure. It is a bold step forward in shaping the future of data centres and accelerating energy transition across the region.”

Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs & Trade and Industry, said: “The FutureGrid Accelerator demonstrates how industry and academia can work together to drive innovation and strengthen Singapore’s global leadership in cutting-edge technologies. I also welcome STT GDC’s partnerships with ITE and SP, which will add to the suite of training options for the rapidly growing areas of AI and energy-efficient systems.”

The FutureGrid Accelerator will validate HVDC system performance at power loads of at least 325kW, incorporating the latest AI servers. The environment incorporates LITEON’s data centre reference architecture with Amperesand’s Solid State Transformer (SST) technology—an enabling innovation for next-generation HVDC deployment. STT GDC plans to deploy this technology in future data centres in Singapore and progressively scale adoption across its global operations.

“LITEON is committed to advancing the frontier of power management efficiency, and our collaboration with STT GDC and Amperesand is key to establishing the next standard for sustainable AI infrastructure in Asia,” said Jason Tsao, Head of Direct Current Microgrid at LITEON. “By deploying an end-to-end data centre reference architecture and integrated power management system in a live environment with STT GDC and partners, we are validating a high-density, energy-saving solution ready to meet the extreme demands of global technology leaders.”

“The FutureGrid Accelerator underscores NTU’s role as a strategic partner in shaping the future of sustainable AI infrastructure”, said Prof Lam Khin Yong, NTU’s Vice President (Industry). “By integrating cutting-edge HVDC technologies with our research capabilities and the entrepreneurial drive of NTU spin-offs like Amperesand, we are advancing impactful solutions that can significantly enhance energy efficiency and grid resilience. This collaboration showcases how universities can drive transformative innovations at the intersection of energy, digitalisation and sustainability.”

“Amperesand is obsessed with revolutionising Medium Voltage to critical load power delivery for next-generation AI data centres, defence, and other essential electrified assets. We focus on first principles to achieve market leading power density, efficiency, and reliability,” said Brian Dow, CEO and Co-Founder of Amperesand. “In this era of AI data centre and other critical power systems becoming economic and national security interests for many countries, Amperesand’s MV SST Platform enables in-country cyber-secure controls and data, regionally available supply chains, and low CAPEX intensity local manufacturing. Our solution is an intelligent, universal Medium Voltage power source that works on-and-off grid to improve critical infrastructure resilience as new large electrical loads come online.”

Developing Energy-Ready Skills: Partnerships with ITE, SP, NTU and NUS
STT GDC signed MOUs with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore Polytechnic (SP), NTU Singapore and National University of Singapore (NUS). These partnerships will benefit more than 8,000 Singaporeans over five years through industry-aligned training in AI infrastructure and sustainable energy systems. This ensures the scaling of HVDC—and the broader energy transition—is matched by the transformation and availability of skills, jobs and talent development pathways.

Mr Lopez added, “Talent is the decisive enabler as we advance AI and sustainability infrastructure. These partnerships build a skilled workforce needed to strengthen Singapore as a global hub for advanced digital and energy systems.”

Key initiatives and impact:

• Building a talent pipeline: STT GDC will provide internship placements across ITE, SP, NTU and NUS over the next five years, with support from Enterprise Singapore. The programme offers immersive, hands-on experience in data centre operations and corporate functions such as IT, sustainability, finance and marketing, supported by mentoring from industry professionals. In addition, STT GDC will offer 100 sponsorships for Data Centre Foundation Certificate (DCFC®) offered by EPI, a global certification body for data centre facilities, data centre operations and industry professionals, accelerating entry into the sector.
• Developing industry-ready talent with ITE: The collaboration with ITE will benefit approximately 800 students annually — totalling 2,400 students over three years — from ITE’s engineering and information and communications technology (ICT)-related Higher Nitec and Work-Study Diploma courses. Key initiatives include co-developing industry-relevant curricula for full-time and Continuing Education & Training (CET) courses in data centre operations and sustainability; deploying a data centre virtual reality system at the ITE Extended Reality Centre for immersive training; supporting lecturer attachments and student internships; and enabling students to pursue the sponsored DCFC® course.
• Sustainability leadership with SP: The partnership with SP develops expertise in environmental sustainability and green data centre solutions. Initiatives include joint exploration of green technologies and practices; industry seminars and events to promote sustainable solutions; and targeted programmes for training, mentorship, applied projects and internships.
• Innovation and research leadership with NTU: The partnership with NTU combines cutting-edge joint R&D of solutions for AI data centres powered by direct current sources; training, curriculum and talent development for the AI data centre sector; industry and career talks; and internship opportunities across STT GDC’s group of companies.
• Graduate pathways with NUS: STT GDC’s collaboration with NUS supports accessible entry points for graduates through internships, training opportunities and ongoing career and industry engagement to raise awareness of digital infrastructure pathways.

Hashtag: #STTelemedia

https://www.sttelemediagdc.com/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) is one of the fastest-growing data centre providers with a global platform serving as a cornerstone of the digital ecosystem that helps the world to connect. Powering a sustainable digital future, STT GDC operates across Singapore, the UK, Germany, Italy, India, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, providing businesses an exceptional foundation that is built for their growth anywhere. For more information, visit https://www.sttelemediagdc.com/

Appendix: Partner Quotes

Mr Peter Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Technical Education (ITE): “At ITE, our focus is on equipping our students with future-ready skills for Singapore’s evolving economy. Through the partnership with STT GDC, our students gain valuable real-world training and exposure to advanced tools in data centre operations. This strengthens our efforts to prepare career-ready students and develop talent for Singapore’s growing digital infrastructure sector.”

Mr Soh Wai Wah, Principal and CEO of SP: “Singapore Polytechnic is committed to developing a future-ready workforce that can support Singapore’s growing demand for sustainable and resilient data centre operations. This partnership with STT GDC brings together our strengths in training, applied learning and industry collaboration to nurture talent in environmental sustainability and green solutions for data centres. Through co-developed programmes, mentorship, student projects and internships, we will build deeper capabilities and broaden pathways for learners to contribute to this important sector. SP looks forward to advancing this effort with STT GDC to support Singapore’s long-term industry and sustainability goals.”

Professor Lam Khin Yong, Vice President (Industry), Nanyang Technological University: “STT GDC is a partner that shares our commitment to advancing impactful research and developing future-ready talent. Leveraging NTU’s strengths in artificial intelligence, energy-efficient systems and translational innovation, this partnership will accelerate the co-development of next-generation AI data centre technologies while providing our students and researchers with valuable real-world experience. Together, we are helping to build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals who will support Singapore’s ambitions in sustainable and AI-driven digital infrastructure.”

Ms Joan Tay, Senior Director, NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates: “NUS’ partnership with STT GDC is timely, as demand grows for skilled professionals to manage complex, high-density AI infrastructure. Through internships, training, industry engagement and access to recognised certification, we bridge education and industry to equip students with the skills and experience needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital infrastructure space.”

Alibaba Cloud and NVIDIA as Key Technology Partners. Usher in a New Era of Industrial AI.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 January 2026 – AsiaInfo Technologies Limited (“AsiaInfo Technologies” or the “Company”; HKEX stock code: 01675), a leading provider of software products, solutions, and services, and ABB Robotics jointly established the “Embodied Intelligence Laboratory” and held its inauguration ceremony at AsiaInfo Plaza in Beijing on 25 January.

Tian Suning, Chairman of AsiaInfo Technologies, and Dr. Ouyang Ye, Chief Executive Office and Chief Technology Officer of AsiaInfo Technologies, together with Han Chen, Vice President of ABB Group and President of ABB Robotics China, jointly held an unveiling ceremony for the laboratory. Li Li, Vice President of the Government-Enterprise Business Unit at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, attended the ceremony as key technology partners, witnessing this milestone that ushers in a new phase of integration between Physical AI technologies and the real economy.

ABB Robotics is one of the world’s leading robotics suppliers, offering a comprehensive and integrated portfolio that includes industrial and collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), controllers, application solutions, services, and equipment. Powered by its intelligent software, its technologies help businesses across industries from automotive to electronics and logistics to become more resilient, flexible, and efficient.

As AI rapidly moves from the digital realm into the physical world, Physical AI, as the key bridge linking AI capabilities with real‑world industries, is becoming a core engine driving the intelligent upgrade of manufacturing sector. Against this backdrop, AsiaInfo Technologies has established a strategic partnership with ABB Robotics to jointly set up the Embodied Intelligence Laboratory, integrating both parties’ core strengths in foundation AI large models, industrial automation, communications technologies and robot control. The laboratory will focus on cutting‑edge areas such as industrial simulation and Physical AI, aiming to break through bottlenecks in the perception, decision‑making and execution capabilities of intelligent agents in complex real‑world scenarios. It will build an end‑to‑end innovation system spanning technology research and development (“R&D”), technology commercialization and large‑scale industrial deployment, thereby injecting strong AI‑driven momentum into high‑quality development.

As a leader in full‑stack digital‑intelligence capabilities, AsiaInfo Technologies will take AI large model application as the core lever, deeply integrating its strengths in 5G‑A telecommunications technology and network security to drive technology integration and large‑scale deployment at the laboratory. By developing replicable, scalable scenario‑based solutions, the Company will accelerate the rollout and value realisation of innovation in the intelligent manufacturing sector. Leveraging its global expertise in industrial automation and flexible control, ABB Robotics will provide the laboratory with real‑world, production‑line use cases and strong engineering support capabilities, enabling efficient validation, optimisation and iteration of technical solutions, and achieving deep coupling and mutual empowerment between technology and application scenarios.

The laboratory will leverage external technology partners to reinforce its R&D capabilities. By utilising Alibaba Cloud’s massive data processing power and cutting‑edge algorithmic frameworks such as Vision‑Language‑Action (VLA), and NVIDIA accelerated computing technology for training optimisation, it will significantly speeding up the industrialisation of Physical AI technologies.

The Embodied Intelligence Laboratory jointly established by AsiaInfo Technologies and ABB Robotics has been officially launched, marking the shift of their strategic partnership into a practical stage of implementation based on previous research. This collaboration represents not only a forward-looking initiative by both parties to deploy cutting-edge technologies and fulfill their industrial responsibilities, but also a pivotal step in advancing Physical AI from the laboratory into real-world applications on the factory floor. Looking forward, AsiaInfo Technologies together with partners including ABB Robotics and Alibaba Cloud, will use the laboratory as a core platform to deepen technical collaboration and scenario co‑creation, drive large‑scale deployment of Physical AI in industry, build a globally impactful benchmark for industrial intelligence, and help shape an open and collaborative Physical AI ecosystem.
Hashtag: #AsiaInfo

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

India’s largest information technology services firms together reported a net reduction of close to 3,000 employees in the third quarter of the 2025–26 financial year, underscoring a structural shift in hiring as companies rebalance workforces around artificial intelligence, cloud platforms and higher-value digital engineering.

Quarterly disclosures showed that headcount at several bellwether firms edged lower despite stable deal pipelines. The combined net decline, modest by historical standards, contrasted sharply with the aggressive campus hiring and broad-based workforce expansion that defined the sector for more than a decade. Executives and analysts pointed to a “barbell” pattern in demand, with strong hiring at the high end for niche digital and AI skills and limited intake, or attrition-led pruning, in legacy application maintenance and commoditised services.

At Tata Consultancy Services, the country’s largest IT services exporter by revenue, total employee strength slipped during the quarter as voluntary attrition stayed elevated in certain service lines and fresh hiring remained selective. Infosys also reported a marginal fall in headcount, reflecting a focus on utilisation, internal redeployment and productivity improvements rather than large-scale lateral recruitment. Wipro and HCLTech posted similar trends, with management teams emphasising skill transformation over volume growth.

The net reduction came even as revenue growth stabilised sequentially for most firms, helped by cost optimisation deals, vendor consolidation and demand for cloud migration. Industry executives said the hiring slowdown was not a signal of weakening fundamentals but a recalibration after years of overcapacity built during the post-pandemic surge in digital spending.

What is different this cycle, analysts argue, is the depth of the technology shift reshaping delivery models. Generative AI tools, low-code platforms and automation frameworks are beginning to decouple revenue growth from headcount expansion. Routine coding, testing and support tasks are increasingly automated, reducing the need for large teams, while boosting productivity per employee.

This dynamic has produced the barbell model now widely discussed in boardrooms. On one end, firms are competing fiercely for specialists in data engineering, AI model deployment, cybersecurity, semiconductor design services and advanced cloud architecture. On the other, demand for entry-level roles tied to traditional application development and infrastructure support has softened, leading to fewer campus offers and limited backfilling of exits.

Management commentary during earnings calls reinforced this shift. Several chief executives highlighted large internal reskilling programmes, with tens of thousands of employees undergoing training in AI, machine learning and cloud-native technologies. The emphasis has moved from hiring for scale to building depth in targeted capabilities that command higher billing rates and longer-term client commitments.

Client behaviour has also played a role. Enterprises in North America and Europe, which account for the bulk of export revenues, continue to scrutinise technology budgets amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Discretionary projects have faced delays, while spending has been redirected toward efficiency-led initiatives where automation is central. This has compressed demand for traditional staff-augmentation models that once absorbed large numbers of engineers.

Despite the headline job losses, the sector remains a major employer, with total headcount across the top firms still running into the millions. Analysts caution against interpreting the quarterly decline as a broad-based contraction. Instead, they see a transition phase in which workforce pyramids are being reshaped to align with evolving client needs and delivery economics.

Wage dynamics reflect the same adjustment. Salary hikes have been measured, variable pay has been linked more closely to utilisation and skill relevance, and onsite deployments have been rationalised. At the same time, niche talent continues to command premiums, widening pay dispersion within firms.

Strong international validation for India’s ambitions in semiconductors and artificial intelligence has emerged during Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s visit to Veldhoven, the Netherlands, where he held discussions centred on advanced manufacturing technologies and long-term collaboration. Vaishnaw described the engagement as a major opportunity to understand cutting-edge systems and align partnerships that could accelerate India’s high-technology ecosystem.

The visit to Veldhoven, home to the world’s most sophisticated chipmaking equipment capabilities, comes at a time when New Delhi is pushing to anchor itself more firmly in global semiconductor supply chains while building domestic capacity. Vaishnaw indicated that interlocutors acknowledged India’s policy direction and scale as compelling factors for deeper cooperation across semiconductors and artificial intelligence, two areas that are increasingly intertwined in next-generation computing and industrial automation.

Discussions during the trip focused on lithography technologies, supply-chain resilience and skills development, according to people familiar with the engagements. India’s pitch rests on a combination of policy incentives, a large engineering workforce and expanding demand from electronics, automotive and data-driven sectors. Officials accompanying the minister underlined that partners in Europe see India as a credible long-term manufacturing and innovation base rather than merely a consumption market.

The Netherlands occupies a critical position in the global chip industry because of its dominance in extreme ultraviolet lithography, a technology essential for producing advanced semiconductors. India’s engagement with Dutch stakeholders is therefore viewed as strategically important, particularly as countries and companies diversify supply chains amid geopolitical and commercial pressures. Vaishnaw’s meetings sought to map pathways for collaboration spanning equipment ecosystems, materials, precision engineering and research linkages.

Artificial intelligence featured prominently in the conversations, reflecting the convergence between advanced chips and AI workloads. Executives and policymakers discussed how specialised processors, high-performance computing and data infrastructure underpin AI deployment across sectors such as healthcare, mobility, energy management and public services. Indian officials emphasised the country’s growing base of AI startups, public digital platforms and applied research, arguing that closer alignment with global technology leaders would strengthen both sides.

The endorsement referenced by Vaishnaw also reflects broader international assessments of India’s semiconductor strategy, which combines fiscal incentives with infrastructure support and regulatory facilitation. Several fabrication and assembly projects have been announced across different states, while partnerships with global firms aim to address gaps in design, packaging and testing. Industry analysts note that execution risks remain, including timelines, talent depth in specialised manufacturing and integration into mature supply networks, yet acknowledge that momentum has improved.

From the Dutch perspective, collaboration with India offers access to a fast-growing market and diversification beyond traditional hubs. European technology firms have been recalibrating their engagement with Asia, balancing commercial interests with strategic considerations. India’s emphasis on trusted partnerships and standards-based cooperation resonates in this context, particularly in areas linked to critical technologies.

Vaishnaw’s visit also included interactions with research institutions and industry representatives to understand best practices in precision manufacturing and workforce training. Officials highlighted the importance of skilling programmes that align academic curricula with industry needs, a factor seen as decisive for sustaining semiconductor operations. India has been expanding such initiatives, including specialised training for chip design and manufacturing processes.

The talks in Veldhoven are part of a broader diplomatic and industrial outreach aimed at positioning India within high-value segments of global technology chains. Previous engagements with partners in East Asia and North America have similarly stressed co-development, supply assurance and innovation partnerships rather than transactional sourcing. The Netherlands visit adds a European dimension to that strategy.