CLA Southeast Asia Launched AI Centre of Excellence
The firm established a new regional hub to drive AI workforce training and prototype development across Southeast Asia.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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CLA Global TS has rebranded to CLA Southeast Asia and announced the creation of the CLA AI Centre of Excellence. The firm is partnering with academic and professional organizations to scale AI initiatives across the region.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to address the regional gap in specialized talent by integrating workforce training with collaborative research and development. It aims to accelerate organizational AI adoption across established markets in Singapore, China, and Malaysia.
The firm operates with a legacy of over 30 years of client service, now pivoting toward a structured AI deployment model. It is leveraging a network of 100 partners to facilitate integration across its offices in Singapore, China, and Malaysia.
The players
CLA Southeast Asia
A professional services firm with over 30 years of operation, now focusing on AI integration across Singapore, China, and Malaysia.
Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants
A professional body collaborating with the firm to scale AI initiatives and workforce training.
Singapore University of Social Sciences
An academic institution serving as a partner for the center's research and training programs.
Institute of Technical Education
A vocational education partner involved in the development of the firm's AI-ready workforce initiatives.
The details
The new center serves as a collaborative hub for workforce training, research initiatives, and prototype development. It coordinates with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, AI Robotics & Cybersecurity Singapore, the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and the Institute of Technical Education to build an AI-ready workforce. By partnering with these institutions, the firm aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical business application.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: The rebranding and the launch of the AI Centre of Excellence were officially announced.
The Tech Race
This development follows a pattern set by industry-academic partnerships like the AI Singapore 100 Experiments program to accelerate localized AI deployment. The center marks a shift toward formalizing corporate AI training and prototyping as a key regional competitive advantage.
Professionals and businesses in the region will gain access to structured training programs and prototype development resources. The initiative is currently in its initial launch phase, with specific enrollment windows for training and development projects yet to be detailed.
The takeaway
The move underscores a growing trend of professional services firms internalizing AI infrastructure to guide enterprise transformation. Watch for the first cohort of workforce training outputs or pilot projects emerging from the center's partnership with participating academic institutions.
Further reading
For more on how corporate hubs are shaping the field, visit the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Singapore Business Review.
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