Microsoft Research Asia – Singapore marks first year with expanded partnerships and healthcare-focused AI projects

Microsoft Research Asia – Singapore (MSRA-Singapore) opened in July 2024 as the company’s first research lab in Southeast Asia, building on over two decades of collaboration between Microsoft Research Asia and Singapore’s academic and government institutions.

The lab’s work is organized around four pillars: next-generation AI models and agentic systems, domain-specific AI for real-world impact, AI-native research practices, and ecosystem and talent development. These efforts align with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0, which emphasizes deploying industry-transforming AI, advancing frontier research, and developing responsible applications.

In healthcare, MSRA-Singapore reports progress on multimodal healthcare AI and self-evolving diagnostic agents, developed in partnership with Singapore’s healthcare ecosystem. The lab is collaborating on projects to support clinical decision-making, unlock insights from complex medical data, and advance research in disease diagnosis, risk assessment, and personalized care.

The lab has deepened ties with Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), which supported its establishment and continues to support joint PhD training through the Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP). In February 2026, EDB co-hosted an Executive Roundtable on AI in Logistics and Transportation, bringing together more than ten regional industry leaders.

MSRA-Singapore also engaged with Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), which co-hosted a full-day event in July 2025 titled “Microsoft Research Asia Singapore Day — Advancing Industrial AI,” covering topics such as healthcare AI, interactive world simulators, AI agents, and societal AI.

The lab’s partnerships extend to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Health, reflecting a broader government engagement strategy to align research with national priorities.