Helping Singapore businesses to leverage graph database capabilities for AI/ML

AI Singapore (AISG) is looking to boost Singapore’s artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities with the use of graph technology, which enhances analytics by finding unknown relationships in data that are not being identified by traditional means.

Laurence Liew, director for AI Innovation at AISG, noted that while traditional relational databases will still have many use cases, graph databases present many new possibilities for AI and ML applications.

A graph database, with its structure of nodes and edges, creates connecting and traversing links which allow for accelerated processing of inter-connected data. This makes it possible to process terabytes of data and traverse millions of connections in a fraction of a second.

The new technology will be useful for solving some of today’s AI problems, said Laurence. For example, new analytics innovation or new graph algorithms may drive superior outcomes to solve AI problem statements presented by the industries in AISG’s flagship 100 Experiments (100E) programme.

AISG recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with graph database vendor TigerGraph to help Singapore businesses to leverage graph database capabilities for AI/ML, and to build Singapore’s graph database capabilities and talent pool.

TigerGraph said it is committed to help build a steady pipeline of AI professionals with graph database analytics capabilities by supporting the research and development needs of the apprentices in AISG’s AI Apprenticeship Programme (AIAP)®.  

The company will also offer graph database training and certification to AISG’s engineers and apprentices and jointly develop industry best practices for the deployment of AI and ML models in the cloud and at the edge for Singapore use cases.

AISG and TigerGraph are also exploring the setting up of a Graph AI Centre of Excellence to conduct proof-of-concept and customer projects under the 100 Experiments initiative, which seeks to help organisations solve their AI problems where no commercial off-the-shelf AI solution exists, and to build their own AI teams.

Other areas of collaboration covered under the MOU include AISG’s Makerspace AI Bricks, a collection of AI products and tools to help small and medium enterprises and startups accelerate the adoption of AI; and AI Engineering Hub (AIEH), a programme that consolidates 100E projects from a single organisation under a Master Research Collaboration Agreement.

“At AISG, we are relentless about nurturing innovation and research breakthroughs that will give birth to bold ideas and applications of AI to solve societal or business challenges,” said Laurence. “With TigerGraph on board, we are excited by the limitless possibilities of graph database in support of AI and ML applications and will continue to punch above our weight in the technological and economic race.”