ANGEL Lab: NTU Singapore Partners to Drive Green Innovations

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and a multinational technology company have unveiled a new corporate lab. The Alibaba-NTU Global e-Sustainability CorpLab (ANGEL) is dedicated to advancing green digital technologies and fostering sustainable lifestyles. Launched with support from Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 plan, ANGEL aims to accelerate the development of smart technologies to create a more sustainable future.

The official launch, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, highlights the lab’s mission to bridge the gap between industry and public sector research. By leveraging industry-academia partnerships, ANGEL will facilitate access to a broader talent pool and technological expertise, enabling practical solutions to real-world challenges. This collaboration is expected to advance the integration of sustainable practices in technology, aligning with Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative and Green Data Centre Masterplan.

A key component of ANGEL’s work includes the release of the Green AI white paper, which identifies ten critical sustainability challenges in AI. This white paper aims to drive research and innovation in eco-friendly technologies and promote broader adoption of sustainability practices across various sectors. With AI’s anticipated growth leading to a significant increase in data centre energy demand, ANGEL will focus on developing energy-efficient technologies and reducing the environmental impact of AI.

The lab’s initiatives will cover diverse areas such as energy-efficient AI algorithms, green cloud computing, and sustainable living technologies. ANGEL’s research projects will address pressing environmental issues, including carbon emissions reduction in supply chains, promotion of eco-friendly behaviours, and advancements in healthcare models for personalised interventions.

Spanning over five years, the collaboration will involve up to 200 scientists and engineers from both NTU and the multinational technology company, working together to drive technological breakthroughs and commercialise innovative solutions. The partnership builds on the success of the Alibaba-NTU Singapore Joint Research Institute, established in 2018.

NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua emphasised that this new lab combines NTU’s expertise in AI and sustainability with multinational the company’s digital platform capabilities. The collaboration aims to provide users with cost-effective AI-powered applications while promoting sustainable computing growth. This partnership underscores NTU’s commitment to impactful industry collaborations and its role in shaping future technological advancements.

The company’s Chief Technology Officer expressed enthusiasm about continuing the partnership, highlighting the growing global demand for green technologies and the opportunities for business and innovation. ANGEL is expected to be pivotal in driving sustainable digital innovations and creating new business models that contribute to a more sustainable world.

The lab will focus on two main research pillars: Green Technologies and Sustainable Lifestyles. In Green Technologies, ANGEL will develop sustainable computational models and technologies to minimise environmental impact. In Sustainable Lifestyles, the lab will create digital systems to promote eco-friendly consumer choices, provide health interventions for ageing populations, and help SMEs adopt sustainable practices.

ANGEL also aims to establish a collaborative ecosystem that includes industry and public sector stakeholders, fostering innovation and supporting the development of a skilled talent pipeline. NTU Vice President (Industry) Professor Lam Khin Yong highlighted the importance of such collaborations in driving innovation and preparing students for future challenges.

ANGEL’s efforts align with NTU’s sustainability goals and Singapore’s aspiration to become a global AI hub. The lab’s focus on balancing rapid AI development with stringent sustainability standards positions Singapore to set a global precedent in the tech industry. Professor Miao Chunyan, Director of ANGEL, will lead the lab’s initiatives as Singapore continues its journey toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.