Huawei launches Ascend Partner Program to Cultivate AI Ecosystem in Asia Pacific



[Singapore, June 18, 2020] Global leading ICT provider Huawei launched its Asia Pacific Partner Ascend Program at an online summit on Thursday. It aims to build an innovative and sustainable AI ecosystem that enables digitalization and intelligent transformation in the region.

Themed “Ascend to Pervasive Intelligence,” the online summit organized by Huawei brings together government officials, business leaders, industrial experts and academic scholars to share their successful AI stories and industry insights.

The APAC Ascend Partner Program, which was officially launched at the summit, consists of three sub-programs of Independent Software Vendor AI Collaboration, Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) AI Talent Cultivation, and Government AI Industry Development.

Through these programs, Huawei and its partners will support Asia Pacific countries with their strength in AI development, knowledge transfer, go-to-market and strategic resources.

The Independent Software Vendor AI Collaboration program, for example, provides ISVs, innovators and entrepreneurs tailored benefits include Non-Recurring Engineering funding (NREs), Cloud resource vouchers, knowledge transfers via Ascend AI Community, Huawei HCIA-AI Certification exam-vouchers, and Go-to-Market support, etc.

The Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) AI Talent Cultivation Program will support higher education institutes to build AI disciplines, cultivate AI talents, and improve academic research in the AI field based on the Huawei full-stack Atlas AI technological capabilities.

“In the new AI era, a strategic partnership between National University of Singapore and Huawei in research and talent development will make great impact to society,” said Huang Zhiyong, Deputy Director, at National University of Singapore’s Business Analytics Centre.

For governments, the program provides technical support in enhancing Asia Pacific countries’ AI innovation facilities using the Ascend technology. Huawei will also share its experience in terms of industrial best practices, and assist in policy matters such as AI Industrial Standards.

“Indonesia National AI strategy empowered by BPPT, is the most important milestone toward Innovation-driven nation, the golden vision of Indonesia 2045. It is inevitable, ubiquitous AI will drive our nation journey to achieve Sustainable Development Goals,” said Dr. Ir. Hammam Riza, M.Sc, head of Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).

The APAC region is now enjoying tremendous business opportunities via the programs and the ecosystem. AI development in regions, demographic dividend and supportive policy of various countries have created marketplace opportunity for AI computing.

“When it comes to AI ecosystem-based collaboration, Huawei has always focused on infrastructure. We work with the academic community and industries to promote AI development, which advances both technology and industries as a whole. Ultimately, we hope to bridge the divide, and achieve shared success as soon as possible. By leveraging our collaborative Connectivity + Computing + Cloud synergy, we are able to provide an intelligent, automated, information-driven platform for partners’ content, applications, and algorithms. Together, we will build a thriving ecosystem and usher in a fully connected, intelligent world,” said Daniel Zhou, President of Huawei Cloud & AI Business Group, Asia Pacific Region.

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