AI Salon Singapore [15 May 2026]

​AI is all the hype today and there is so much going on. We would like strip it down naked and bare it all.

​We want to peel off the layers and see what's really happening.

​Across governments, startups, and enterprises, the real challenge has shifted from exploring possibilities to deploying real systems that work at scale.

​At this edition of AI Salon Singapore, we bring together leaders across the ecosystem to unpack what it actually takes to move AI from concept to production.

​From national infrastructure and governance to startup innovation and enterprise deployment, this session will focus on what’s working today — and what still isn’t.

​Expect practical conversations on:

• ​What's happening in the AI space right now?

• ​How large corporations / governments are enabling AI at a national level

• ​What it takes to turn AI prototypes into production systems

• ​Where companies are seeing real ROI (and where they’re not)

• ​The biggest gaps between ambition and execution in AI today

​Let's all learn more about where AI is actually deployed and operational in companies big and small.

​Agenda

​5:00 PM — Registration & Networking
Arrivals, drinks, and early connections with founders, operators, and builders in the AI ecosystem.

​5:30 PM — Opening Remarks
Welcome by StartupX & AI Salon Singapore
Framing the current state of AI: from hype to real-world deployment

​6:00 PM — Keynote: AI at National Scale
Sau Sheong Chang (DCEO and CTO of GovTech)
How Singapore is building and deploying AI infrastructure, and what it means for companies and builders

​6:15 PM — From Demos to Production: What AI Builders Are Actually Shipping in 2026
Gabriel Chua (DX Engineer at OpenAI)

​6:30 PM — Founder Spotlight
A founder walks through what they’ve built
Live product, real use case, real lessons

​6:45 PM — Operator Spotlight
How AI tools (including agents like OpenClaw) are being used inside companies
What works, what breaks, what people underestimate

​7:00 PM — Hot Mic

​7:15 PM — Curated Tour of Kinn Habitat and Open Networking

​Who Should Attend

• ​AI founders and builders

• ​Engineers and technical operators

• ​Corporate innovation and digital leaders

• ​Investors and ecosystem players

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​Meet the Speakers

​Durwin Ho, Managing Partner, StartupX

​Vanessa Paul, Head of Marketing, KINN Hospitality Concepts

​Christel Buchanan, Founder, ChatAndBuild

​Joao Nina Matos, Founder, Futovia

​Lionel Sim, Founder, The AI Capitol and Claw Singapore

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Community Participation

​We’re always looking for founders and builders who want to share what they’re working on.

​If you’re building something interesting in AI, indicate your interest when registering and the team will reach out.

​We’re also growing the AI Salon Singapore chapter and welcome volunteers who want to contribute to events, programs, and ecosystem building.

​Reach out to us and connect:

​Durwin Durwin Ho | LinkedIn

​Raymond Raymond Doraisamy | LinkedIn

​Joyce Joyce Tay | LinkedIn

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Meet the Partners

​​AI Salon

​​AI Salon is the global community bringing together AI founders and builders, investors, and partners to connect and collaborate. We are starting new chapters in every city so join us to build the largest Global AI community.

​It’s decentralized and chapter-driven, with 60+ chapters across 40+ countries and growing rapidly across every major tech ecosystem.

​Since launching, the community has hosted hundreds of events worldwide, bringing together tens of thousands of participants and showcasing real startups and emerging technologies shaping the AI landscape. More than 40,000 attendees at over 400 live events since 2024. Over 1,000 guest speakers and 1,000 startup presentations at those events.

​AI Salon Singapore brings that global energy into the local ecosystem — with a strong focus on applied AI, frontier technologies, and companies scaling from Singapore to the world.

​​StartupX

​​​​StartupX is a global innovation partner for those building what’s next. We collaborate with corporates, governments, and startups to launch ventures, scale businesses, and drive bold transformation. Founded by entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders, we built StartupX to challenge the status quo of how innovation gets done in Asia.

​KINN Hospitality Concepts

​KINN Hospitality Concepts reimagines hospitality as a holistic lifestyle experience, prioritising physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Each space is a quiet sanctuary, blending the privacy and quality of boutique hotels with the social energy and affordability of hostels.

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As seats are limited and there are F&B catered, if you cannot make it, do update your attendance or let the organizers know earlier. Do take note that no-shows may be blacklisted from future events.