Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and Alibaba Group have jointly launched the Alibaba-NTU Global e-Sustainability CorpLab (ANGEL), supported by the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) RIE 2025 plan. This new corporate lab aims to push the boundaries of sustainable technologies by fostering collaboration between industry and public sector researchers.
The launch event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of NRF Heng Swee Keat, NTU President Prof Ho Teck Hua, and Alibaba CTO Wu Zeming. ANGEL will focus on developing and testing novel digital technologies designed to promote sustainable ecosystems and lifestyles, contributing to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative and Green Data Centre Masterplan.
At the event, the ANGEL Green AI white paper was unveiled, outlining ten key challenges and highlighting the need for eco-friendly research, innovation, and development across multiple sectors. The white paper aims to encourage a shift towards broader sustainability practices.
The ANGEL lab will work on key environmental issues, including reducing carbon emissions in supply chains, promoting environmentally friendly behaviour, and advancing healthcare models for personalised interventions for an ageing population. The lab will also focus on areas such as energy-efficient AI algorithms, green cloud computing, sustainability standards, and digital technologies for health and sustainable living.
Over the next five years, up to 200 scientists and engineers from both NTU and Alibaba Group will collaborate on research projects aimed at addressing global sustainability challenges.