A new global study has ranked Singapore as the number one hub for artificial intelligence development and innovation in 2025, ahead of major tech centres in North America and Europe.
The research, conducted by Ubie, a Tokyo-based healthcare AI startup, assessed global cities using an “AI Hub Score” derived from multiple indicators including job opportunities, company presence, research institutions, salaries, government support, and cost of living.
According to the findings, Singapore achieved an overall score of 95 out of 100, placing it above Boston (93) and Berlin (90), which took the second and third spots respectively.
Singapore Leads in Jobs, Companies, and Research
Ubie’s data revealed that Singapore currently lists 1,100 active AI-related job openings on LinkedIn, the highest of any city in the study and hosts 666 AI-focused companies on Crunchbase.
The city-state also recorded an average annual AI salary of $123,000, supported by strong institutional presence including the Centre for Frontier AI Research and the National University of Singapore’s AI Lab.
Analysts credit Singapore’s well-balanced ecosystem a mix of policy support, research excellence, and thriving private sector investment, for its leading position.
Global Ranking of AI Powerhouses
Following Singapore, Boston, USA, ranked second with an AI Hub Score of 93. The city boasts 626 AI companies and offers an average annual salary of $134,000.
Berlin, Germany, came third with nine AI research institutions, the most of any city in the ranking, alongside 526 companies and 465 job openings. Despite its strong academic foundation, Berlin’s average salary of $74,000 remains the lowest among the top-ranked hubs.
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In fourth place, Austin, USA, recorded an AI Hub Score of 88, hosting 892 AI firms and 555 job listings. With average salaries of $135,000, it remains one of the most lucrative destinations for AI professionals despite limited institutional infrastructure.
Paris, France, completed the top five with a score of 85, driven by its high company density, over 1,100 AI firms and affordable cost of living.
Expert View: Ecosystem Over Salary
Speaking on the results, Kota Kubo, CEO and co-founder of Ubie, said the findings underline the importance of ecosystem quality over pay scales.
“The most successful AI hubs create environments where a researcher can grab coffee with a venture capitalist and a startup founder in the same morning,” Kubo explained. “When talent, money, and ideas collide in the right place, innovation happens at lightning speed.”
He noted that while Mexico City offers the highest AI salaries at $318,000 per year, it ranked only tenth due to fewer job opportunities and weaker company presence. “Ecosystem density and research infrastructure matter far more than compensation alone,” he added.
Singapore’s Edge in the AI Race
Experts say Singapore’s rapid ascent reflects its government’s long-term focus on digital transformation, ethical AI governance, and incentives for startups. With strong links between academia, industry, and investors, the city has created a model that blends innovation with affordability and efficiency.
As nations compete for global AI dominance, Singapore’s rise to the top signals a shift in the balance of power, one that favours smaller but more agile ecosystems built on collaboration, strategic funding, and a clear national vision for technology.
