Asia Tech x Singapore, 2025, 01: Expo-nential

Asia Tech x Singapore, 2025, 01: Expo-nential

What began as a regular event at the Expo Exhibition during end May/beginning June, the humungous technology extravaganza was held during May 27-29 this year. This is where it began, and after stints at Marina Bay and Suntec City, it has returned to its roots, at Expo, in the far East of Singapore, which is where I first attended it, some 25 years back. It was then known as CommmunicAsia. Some years later, it added Satellite Asia, Broadcast Asia, TechXLR8 Asia and other related technological advancements, as add-ons. Soon, these became integral parts of the main event and it has now been re-named Asia Tech x Singapore. Though the accent is on exhibitors selling their products to visiting buyers, there were many conferences and presentations about the state-of-the-art stuff, under ATX Enterprise, Start Up Arena and the AI Summit Singapore.

A parallel event was organised by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, called ATxSummit, where entry was by invitation only. I was not invited. In the words of the website, Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) is Asia’s flagship tech event, jointly organised by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Informa, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board. The event features three main segments: ATxSummit, ATxEnterprise and ATxInspire. My forays were confined to Expo, which has a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT, Singapore’s metro network) named after it and located a short walk away. I arrived in Singapore on the 26^th of May, the eve of the inauguration, and visited Asia Tech x Singapore on all three working days. My rounds were confined to the stalls/booths/pavilions, and not being a techie, I did not attend any conferences, seminars or summits.

In terms of timing, the event is held during a period when Singaporean and Indian schools have their annual vacations either over-lapping or merging. This makes flights, especially direct flights from India, costlier by as much as 300%. But if you book some two months or more in advance, seats are available at heavy discounts. Good for those who can plan three months ahead, whereas it is a drain on the pockets of those who can only firm-up dates a week or two in advance. Needless to say, I fell in the latter category this year. I had to book a late-night/early morning flight, with several hours of Transit, and arrived on the 26^th of May, late in the evening, collapsing with jet lag, fatigue and loss of sleep. But the required rest was ruled out, for Asia Tech x Singapore was to roll out next morning.

As early as February, the organisers sent us journalists a press release, telling us what to expect.

“ATxEnterprise (ATxE) 2025, a flagship event of Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG), returns for its fifth year, providing a strategic platform for enterprises, governments, and technology leaders to drive innovation, cybersecurity resilience, and digital transformation. Taking place from 27–29 May 2025 at Singapore Expo, this milestone edition will explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enterprise strategy, the next frontier of cyber defence, and the future of digital connectivity.

AI continues to transform business operations by optimising workflows, accelerating decision-making, and redefining customer engagement. NTT’s 2025 Global CEO Survey found that 89% of CEOs consider AI essential to profitability, with 77% planning to increase investments this year. As businesses integrate AI, they must balance automation with human-centric innovation while addressing digital trust, workforce adaptation, and cybersecurity risks. Ethical considerations, including responsible AI deployment and bias mitigation, remain critical to ensuring AI serves as a force for progress rather than disruption. ATxE 2025 provides a vital platform for industry leaders to explore AI’s real-world applications and develop strategies for sustainable and responsible enterprise growth.

New at ATxE 2025

Building on its legacy, ATxE continues to evolve to meet the growing demands of enterprise technology, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure transformation. In 2025, the event introduces three new strategic initiatives aimed at deepening industry engagement and driving meaningful conversations on the future of technology:

Enterprise Tech Awards

Recognising visionary leaders and pioneering companies, the Enterprise Tech Awards 2025 celebrates trailblazers redefining enterprise technology across Singapore and the APAC region. With over 10 award categories, including Tech Leader of the Year, Woman Technologist of the Year, and Excellence in Network Infrastructure, these awards honour changemakers, industry excellence and breakthrough innovations. Nominations close on 28 February, with public voting beginning on 3 March. A distinguished panel from DHL, Omdia, and Mandai Wildlife Group will evaluate finalists.

Enterprise Tech Leaders Forum

A by-invitation summit bringing together C-suite executives to explore AI-driven business transformation, cybersecurity leadership, and the evolution of digital infrastructure. This exclusive forum enables decision-makers to capitalise on emerging opportunities, mitigate enterprise risks, and maximise ROI in an AI-powered digital economy.

CISO Tech Briefing

A closed-door executive session designed for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). This briefing provides actionable insights on AI-powered security, cyber threat mitigation, and global regulatory shifts, equipping security leaders with critical strategies to safeguard enterprise infrastructure.

Returning Flagship Events & Global Thought Leadership

Alongside these new initiatives, ATxE 2025 welcomes back its flagship events, setting the agenda for enterprise technology, AI, and connectivity. BroadcastAsia, CommunicAsia, SatelliteAsia, TechXLR8 Asia, and AI Summit Singapore* will bring together global leaders, enterprises, and innovators to explore emerging trends, investment opportunities, and breakthrough technologies shaping the digital economy.

With five international exhibitions, 15 summits and conference tracks, and extensive networking opportunities, ATxE remains the pre-eminent platform for industry collaboration, innovation, and business growth. This year’s line-up of influential industry leaders includes:

Rika Nakazawa, Chief Commercial Innovation Officer, NTT Global

Vivek Kumar, CEO, WWF Singapore

Karen Clark, CEO, Telstra

Tadeusz Chomicki, Ambassador for Cyber and Tech Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland

Felix Sim, CEO, Salad Ventures

Heidi Ahokallio-Leppälä, Vice President, HAME University of Applied Sciences

David Goh, Head of CRADLE (Center for Robotic-Augmented Design in Living Experiences), Hyundai

Elle Quan, Head of Conferences at Informa Festivals, highlighted the event’s continued influence:

“In just five years, ATxE has evolved into a global nexus for enterprise technology, uniting leaders from over 110 countries and regions to drive innovation, strengthen cybersecurity resilience, and advance digital infrastructure. Cross-market knowledge sharing accelerates transformation, and Singapore—renowned as a hub for enterprise excellence—provides the ideal setting for these high-profile discussions.

As Singapore approaches its 60th anniversary, we must continue pushing the boundaries of innovation to build a more resilient, secure, and competitive digital economy. At a time when technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, it can no longer be considered just an enabler—it is the very force shaping the way businesses operate, connect, and create new growth opportunities. This year, we are raising the bar with new initiatives that foster deeper collaboration and real-world impact. As the global meeting point for enterprises, governments, and technology leaders, we remain committed to shaping the next frontier of digital progress.”

Shaping the Future of AI and the Digital Economy

ATxE 2025 will spotlight AI’s transformative impact across industries, offering an unparalleled opportunity for business leaders to engage with global experts, regulators, and innovators. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the evolving digital landscape, equipping them with the knowledge needed to navigate AI-driven enterprise transformation responsibly and effectively.

As businesses continue to face new challenges and opportunities, the discussions at ATxE 2025 will empower leaders to make informed decisions that drive innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth.

ATxEnterprise 2025 had on offer 22,000+ global tech leaders, 300+ exhibitors, and powerhouse speakers from AWS, Hyundai, Dyson, NTT, and more, in its fifth edition.”

One could say that the mega event has been growing exponentially over the last 25 years.

ATxEnterprise’s Anchor Events

BroadcastAsia: The premier destination for Asia’s broadcast, media, and entertainment leaders to explore the future of the industry and forge innovative strategies for growth.

CommunicAsia: A dynamic platform uniting communication service providers (CSPs), market disruptors, technology vendors, system integrators, cloud providers, and other ICT stakeholders to analyse and navigate the evolving telecommunications landscape.

SatelliteAsia: Showcasing cutting-edge innovations and solutions from the world’s leading satellite communication providers.

TechXLR8 Asia: Where visionaries in AI, Cybersecurity, IoT, Cloud, Data, Quantum Technology, and Blockchain converge to harness the transformative power of disruptive technologies for cities and businesses across the APAC region.

The AI Summit: The apex event of ATxEnterprise, gathering AI leaders and enthusiasts worldwide since 2016. This year, the focus will be on the transformative impact of AI across industries, providing attendees with actionable insights and strategies to harness its power.

(All photos courtesy ATxEnterprise)