China-founded Shanda’s AI lab boosts Singapore operation, pulling research from China

Frontier research lab MiroMind, a subsidiary of the China-founded multinational firm Shanda Group, has asked some of its staff in Shanghai to relocate to Singapore, according to people with knowledge of the matter, raising comparisons to artificial intelligence start-up Manus’ pull-out from China last year.Those actions came amid Sunday’s reorganisation announcement by Shanda and Singapore-based MiroMind, which said its research on artificial general intelligence (AGI) and fundamental technology breakthroughs would be exclusively focused in the city state.AGI refers to the hypothetical intelligence of a machine that possesses the ability to understand or learn any intellectual task that a human being can.Other subsidiaries within Shanda would work on deploying AI applications and industry-specific solutions tailored to local market requirements, according to the statement.Framing the move as a matter of compliance, without mentioning whether it was to meet US or China rules, Shanda said: “MiroMind operates within a global governance framework that prioritises transparency and strict adherence to evolving localised regulatory standards.”MiroMind’s move marked the latest example of how geopolitical tensions are reshaping how Chinese companies access more overseas clients, computing resources and funding amid US-China tensions.Menlo Park, California-based Shanda and MiroMind did not immediately respond to a request for comment.