Google to create more than 150 jobs in Singapore as it refocuses on AI

Google doubles down on AI efforts in Singapore, 150 jobs to be created along with new AI security hub

Tech giant Google is expanding its footprint in Singapore, with a fresh hiring push and new research initiatives as part of its deepened commitment to AI development in the region.

At the Google for Singapore 2026 event yesterday (10 Feb), the company revealed plans to recruit more than 150 local roles, primarily in technology and engineering. This includes jobs such as customer solutions engineers, data centre technicians, product managers, and other technical positions.

A significant chunk of the opportunities will support Google’s new Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence for security. The centre is aimed at tackling risks tied to emerging agentic AI: systems that can interpret language and independently perform tasks.

While Google declined to reveal how many of the list of vacancies are for the newly opened centre, it confirmed that research scientists, data scientists, and security engineers will be tasked with ensuring safe AI behaviours. For example, a task-specialised agent making health appointments should not be given access to the user’s sensitive data like payment information, without explicit consent.

“As AI advances, we need to continue to do even more to get ahead of bad actors and empower our users,” said Laurie Richardson, Google’s vice‑president of trust and safety.

The expansion is part of a broader slate of announcements shared at the event, which also showcased partnerships in health tech, education and workforce skills development. For instance, Google unveiled a collaboration with local startup Amili to build a personalised nutrition app powered by Google’s Gemini AI combined with gut microbiome data. Its beta release is slated to be launched by May 2026.

In the skills space, Google and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) are launching a three‑month accelerator to teach AI applications in non‑technical roles such as HR, legal and accountancy, and aims to target 500 fresh graduates and mid‑career professionals.

While the tech giant has declined to reveal the size of its latest investments, Google has pumped in around US$5 billion in Singapore’s tech infrastructure to date, including cloud regions and four data centres. Since setting up its Asia‑Pacific headquarters here in 2007, its local headcount has grown to almost 3,000 employees.

Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo was also present at the event, and encouraged Google to think about how locally developed products and services could be scaled globally. She also hinted that Singapore’s upcoming Budget statement would include “significant announcements” about national AI adoption plans.

AI has taken some jobs away, but it also makes way for new ones

While Google’s plan to hire more than 150 people in Singapore may seem modest by big tech standards, it reflects a broader shift in how technology companies are expanding in the AI era.

Rather than engaging in large-scale hiring across general roles, companies are increasingly prioritising highly specialised talent, especially in areas like AI security, cloud engineering, and data science.

Google isn’t the only tech giant doubling down on AI. Firms such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft have all deepened their long-term commitments with cloud infrastructure, AI research and data centres, even as global hiring remains cautious.

These developments might be interpreted as a counter to the dystopian takeover that many job seekers fear. While AI has caused people to lose jobs through layoffs, but it’s also because those roles are no longer needed for a business to function. New job opportunities could be created in its wake, but as tech industry continues to evolve, no one can afford to remain stagnant.

• Read more stories we’ve written on Singapore’s job landscape here.
• Read more stories we’ve written on Singapore businesses here.

Also Read: 15,700 new jobs in Singapore over the next five years, with most above S$5,000: EDB

Featured Image Credit: Google