At Turba Media, we were excited to attend a tech talk at the recent ATX Singapore 24, highlighting  a groundbreaking partnership between IBM and AI Singapore (AISG) that promises to propel AI capabilities in the Southeast Asian region. This collaboration focuses on enhancing the Southeast Asian Languages in One Network (SEA-LION) model, an advanced large language model (LLM) developed by AISG, leveraging IBM’s cutting-edge AI technology and data platform, Watsonx.

Innovating with SEA-LION

SEA-LION, an open-source LLM, is designed to be more adaptable and efficient than its counterparts. It operates on two base models: a 3-billion-parameter model and a 7-billion-parameter model, utilizing 981 billion language tokens. These tokens include fragments from English, Southeast Asian languages, and Chinese, making SEA-LION a robust and contextually aware model suited to the diverse linguistic landscape of Southeast Asia.

Democratising AI for ASEAN

IBM and AISG share a vision of making AI more accessible and beneficial for all. This partnership underscores the importance of public and private sector collaboration in building deep AI capabilities. Catherine Lian, IBM’s general manager for ASEAN, emphasised the commitment to creating an inclusive AI environment that addresses the linguistic and cultural diversity of the region.

Leslie Teo, AISG’s senior director of AI products, highlighted the significance of this collaboration in fostering AI adoption across Southeast Asia. By incorporating AI governance into SEA-LION, the partnership will help organisations manage AI compliance, risk, and model lifecycle, ensuring responsible and sustainable AI deployment.

Strategic Significance

This collaboration is a strategic move for both IBM and AISG, combining IBM’s extensive experience in AI research and cloud computing with AISG’s local expertise and connections with academia, industry, and government. The partnership aims to accelerate AI innovation, driving breakthroughs in various fields such as healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, and smart cities.

Future Prospects

SEA-LION’s output focus will be on achieving tangible outcomes that demonstrate AI’s transformative potential. Enhancing the SEA-LION model and deploying AI solutions in real-world scenarios will unlock new opportunities, address complex challenges, and create value for stakeholders across sectors.

At Turba Media, we are inspired by the possibilities this partnership represents for the future of AI in our home region. The collaboration between IBM and AISG is a testament to the power of joint efforts in driving technological innovation and fostering a vibrant, inclusive AI ecosystem in the region. We were particularly interested in SEA- LIONS ability to cross language barriers; you can input in one language and output in another (witthout the need for translation which can lead to contextual changes) . Tools like this have the potential to revolutionise our ability to trade with our neighbours.