Facebook Thales's global acceleration in trusted AI extends to Asia for the first time with the launch of cortAIx SG. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), cortAIx SG aims to drive the ethical and effective adoption of AI in Singapore, in alignment with Singapore's National AI strategy. The Group's global expansion of cortAIx to Singapore has the dual purpose of serving the needs of both the civil and defence ecosystems.
Thales is strengthening its strategic partnerships in Singapore by launching joint initiatives with CAAS1, DSTA2, and HTX3 across Aviation, Defence, and Public Safety and Security. These enhanced collaborations include an expanded innovation partnership with HTX focused on AI, border security, quantum, and cybersecurity technologies, as well as the creation of a joint Avionics Lab with CAAS-supported by Changi Airport Group, ICAI4, SATS, and Singapore Airlines-to drive next-generation avionics solutions.
With these partnerships, cortAIx SG will become an integral part of the Group's global cortAIx network of 800 highly-skilled AI and data experts, supported by local talent with deep expertise in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science.
1 Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
2 Defence Science and Technology Agency
3 Home Team Science & Technology Agency
4 International Centre for Aviation Innovation
On 30th May, Thales and EDB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the launch of cortAIx SG to extend the Group's global AI programme to Asia, and further accelerate on AI research and industrialisation. With more than 100 products integrating AI, Thales already develops and deploys trusted AI-powered systems in the most complex and challenging environments. Building on this strong foundation, cortAIx SG will serve as an important accelerator, identifying critical challenges and developing high-impact AI solutions for Thales business units across Singapore and the broader Asia region. The centre will play a key role in driving the development and implementation of trusted AI systems in complex and mission-critical environments, thereby strengthening Thales' R&D capabilities and long-term innovation footprint in Singapore.
cortAIx SG positions Thales Singapore as a hub for AI leadership and joint innovation, aligned with the nation's ambitions under the National AI Strategy. The centre will be driven by several key initiatives: including projects that enhance utilisation of knowledge and sensor suites to aid planning and decision support; increase operational efficiency; and drive human-autonomy teaming. Thales will work with the Singaporean government and ecosystem to grow domain and technology capabilities in Singapore, bringing together cutting-edge technology, talent and research to AI solutions that are ethical, transparent, explainable, and operationally effective.
The announcement was made on the occasion of French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron's State Visit to Singapore, with multiple agreements signed on 29th May and during the France-Singapore Frontier Technologies Forum on 30th May.
Expansion of Strategic Partnership with HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency) Thales and HTX first signed a Master Agreement for Strategic Partnership for Innovation in 2020. Today, they expanded the scope of this partnership, extending it for another three years to:
Establish a joint-lab focused on AI-enabled technologies, local capability development and the formation of best practices for trustworthy AI within the local context;
Enable technology insertion through agile collaboration, testing and technology experimentation aligned to HTX's evolving needs. Thales will support HTX in translating early-stage technical solutions into concrete systems that can be integrated into HTX's homeland security programmes to drive rapid innovation and early adoption;
Jointly develop a shared Research and Development (R&D) strategy and future technology roadmap relevant to public safety and security, bringing together HTX, Thales, academia and startups, across five critical technology frontiers: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Technologies and Space.
Joint Avionics Lab with Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to innovate avionics-oriented solutions
CAAS, Changi Airport Group (CAG), the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), SATS Ltd. (SATS), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Thales signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 29th May 2025 to foster greater innovation and collaboration at the aviation ecosystem level.
Under this MOU, the partners will work together to identify key challenges to solve and undertake joint innovation projects to develop solutions, which could include the following:
Air traffic optimisation, by combining airlines' flight operations and cockpit data with air traffic management information. AI-enabled algorithms can detect and predict holding patterns within a particular radius around Changi Airport, helping manage congestion and leading to reduced flight delays.
Digitalising and optimising the data shared between airlines, air traffic management and airports. Data from sensors in the aircraft, like cameras or inflight entertainment systems, can provide real-time, automated data to complement current data streams like video content from ground infrastructures. Enhancing these with AI models can help airlines, air traffic managements and airport operators improve collaborative decision making.
The Avionics Lab in Singapore, the first of its kind for Thales outside France, represents a significant milestone in deepening Thales' avionics capabilities in Singapore and the region. The Avionics Lab complements the AIR Lab (jointly set up by CAAS and Th
