SGTech Catalyses Tech Ecosystem’s Momentum for Sustainable Practices | Tech Download

SGTech sparks industry-wide Momentum for Sustainable Practices in dialogue with Dr Amy Khor

SGTech held its inaugural CXO-In-Conversation event on 14 August 2024, featuring Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and Environment, Dr Amy Khor, as the guest of honour. Themed “Tech Enabling Sustainability,” the event brought together over 120 senior executives from the technology sector, along with key influencers from government, trade associations, and business chambers, to discuss the challenge of reducing Scope 3 emissions in value chains.

This event marked the first in Singapore where tech firms of various sizes engaged in open dialogue about the complexities of meeting the 2026 deadline for mandatory Scope 3 compliance, which involves indirect emissions across a company’s value chain—a particularly daunting challenge for smaller enterprises.

A key highlight was the launch of the SGTech Scope 3 Pledge, aimed at rallying more companies to collaborate on these environmental challenges. Global brands like Equinix Singapore, BSI Singapore, Razer, SAP Singapore, Singtel, and local firms such as Elixir Technology, Inspire-Tech, i-Sprint Innovations, SmartTradzt, and Websparks have joined forces under this initiative.

Dr Amy Khor emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing climate change, noting that SME involvement is crucial for wider adoption of sustainable practices. The event concluded with a call to action for more businesses to leverage existing programmes and grants to integrate sustainability into their operations.

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Minister Chan Chun Sing leads SGTech’s dialogue on tackling global shifts

SGTech recently hosted a dialogue featuring Minister Chan Chun Sing, focusing on Singapore's strategic role in the rapidly evolving global landscape. The event gathered industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss crucial strategies for adapting to rising geopolitical tensions and the complexities of unilateral policies.

Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasised the importance of agility and resilience in the face of these challenges. He underscored the necessity of fostering robust international collaborations to drive sustainable growth and maintain Singapore's competitive edge on the global stage.

The dialogue highlighted how Singapore must continuously adapt to shifting global dynamics while remaining committed to innovation and progress. As the world faces increasing uncertainty, the discussions reaffirmed the critical role of collaboration and forward-thinking in shaping the future of the nation.

This event is part of SGTech's ongoing efforts to provide platforms for meaningful discussions and to drive growth in Singapore's tech scene. More such opportunities are on the horizon as SGTech continues to lead the conversation on innovation and global leadership.

Can Singapore keep up in the data centre race?

As global demand for data storage surges, Singapore’s role as a data center hub is under increasing scrutiny. Ashton Soh, Director of Acquisitions at Digital Realty and Chair of SGTech’s Data Centre Chapter, shared his insights on Money FM’s Industry Insight, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities facing the city-state in this critical sector.

"Singapore has long been a leader in the data centre industry due to our strategic location, robust infrastructure, and pro-business environment,” Soh stated. However, he acknowledged rising competition from countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, which offer lower costs and more land.

Despite these challenges, Soh is optimistic, citing Singapore’s skilled workforce and excellent connectivity as key advantages. “The key for Singapore is to leverage these strengths while continuing to innovate and invest in new technologies,” he said.

Soh emphasised the growing importance of sustainability in the data centre industry, particularly given their high energy consumption. He highlighted Singapore’s Green Data Centre Programme, a government initiative promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.

“Singapore is leading this shift,” Soh said, noting the programme’s push for energy-saving measures, renewable investments, and optimised water usage, all vital for a sustainable digital economy.

Soh also mentioned innovations like liquid cooling and edge computing, which enhance energy efficiency and reduce latency. He pointed to AI and machine learning as key tools for optimising operations and cutting costs, essential for competitiveness.

Looking ahead, Soh expressed confidence in Singapore’s ability to stay a global leader in the data centre sector. He stressed the need for continuous innovation and collaboration to tackle challenges like land scarcity and energy demands, ensuring Singapore remains a top data centre hub.

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Navigating the Next Wave: What's Coming Up

Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently shared an AI-generated video that falsely suggested he had received the support of Taylor Swift. This incident highlights a troubling misuse of AI in political campaigning, where the technology is being employed to spread misinformation and create deceptive content.

While AI offers numerous benefits for campaigns, such as creating personalised messaging and improving voter outreach, Trump's use of AI in this context exposes its darker potential. The creation and dissemination of deepfakes and other AI-driven manipulative tactics threaten to erode trust in the democratic process. As AI technology advances, its application in elections necessitates urgent ethical and regulatory scrutiny to prevent its misuse.