Shanda Group's MiroMind Shifts AI Research to Singapore
- tech360.tv
- Jan 23
- 2 min read
Shanda Group subsidiary MiroMind has asked some staff in Shanghai to relocate to Singapore, focusing its artificial general intelligence research exclusively in the city-state. This move follows a reorganisation announcement by Shanda and Singapore-based MiroMind.
The reorganisation states MiroMind will concentrate on artificial general intelligence, or AGI, and fundamental technology breakthroughs in Singapore. AGI refers to a machine's hypothetical ability to understand or learn any intellectual task a human can.
Other Shanda subsidiaries will work on deploying AI applications and industry-specific solutions tailored to local market requirements. MiroMind's staff in Shanghai were informed that relocating to Singapore would ensure their AGI research continues.
Shanda framed the move as a matter of compliance, stating MiroMind operates within a global governance framework. This framework prioritises transparency and strict adherence to evolving localised regulatory standards.
The relocation marks a recent instance of geopolitical tensions reshaping how Chinese companies access overseas clients, computing resources, and funding. US-China tensions have influenced such corporate adjustments.
The move also comes as US lawmakers passed the Remote Access Security Act. This legislation aims to close a loophole in US export control laws that allowed certain foreign entities to access restricted US technology via cloud computing services.
Chinese AI companies, particularly start-ups, have sought access to US-restricted advanced AI chips to train models. This access has been pursued through the black market or cloud platforms utilising graphics processing units from companies such as Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices.
MiroMind's Singapore initiative could draw more scrutiny on Meta Platforms' multibillion-dollar acquisition of Manus in December. A former Manus employee, who remained in China, highlighted this potential.
China's Ministry of Commerce earlier this month said it would collaborate with other Chinese regulators to assess the Manus acquisition. The assessment focuses on compliance with the country's export controls and technology transfer rules.
Analysts suggest this action signals Beijing’s intent to police foreign involvement in sensitive technologies more tightly. This occurs as founders increasingly move operations overseas to avoid geopolitical scrutiny.
MiroMind, a Shanda Group subsidiary, is relocating some Shanghai staff to Singapore.
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) research will now be exclusively conducted in Singapore.
Shanda stated the move aligns with a global governance framework prioritising compliance.
Source: SCMP
