Innovating a world of equal opportunities from Singapore

Microsoft provides persons with disabilities with new opportunities through technology

Companies based in Singapore are driving change through innovations that reduce global inequalities — one going as far as outer space to do it.

Transcelestial’s space laser network will send undersea cables from earth into orbit, from where they can power entire towns, cities and even countries.

Rohit Jha, its CEO and Co-Founder pointed out: “Connectivity is a basic human right. Yet today, three to five billion people in this world still don’t have access to affordable, quality Internet. We need it for job opportunities, for basic healthcare, for economic progress and education. Something needs to be done.”

For another billion of the world’s underserved, Microsoft is building accessibility through artificial intelligence (AI) into its products. Richard Koh, Microsoft’s Chief Technology, Security & Customer Success Officer said: “Over a billion people on the planet have some form of disability, yet only one in 10 of them has access to tools that help them to meaningfully contribute to the economy. Technology has the power to make the world more inclusive, so that everyone, regardless of their capabilities and background, has access to its benefits.”

Meanwhile, beauty giant Shiseido, aims to improve the lives of those who live with severe appearance concerns. Its President and CEO (Asia-Pacific) Nicole Tan said: “Shiseido has been helping people with serious skin and medical conditions since the end of World War II. Our beauty innovations don’t just restore confidence in people who look different; they go beneath the skin to empower the marginalised to live their lives to the fullest.”
 

Designing technology for inclusivity and independence

Microsoft is reaching the largest minority population in the world: more than a billion people with physical disabilities.

Its artificial intelligence and advanced technology, such as Seeing AI and Immersive Reader allow the visually impaired to navigate and experience the world. Using Seeing AI, text can be scanned on smartphones to be read aloud, while the Immersive Reader makes website navigation convenient and seamless.

At Microsoft’s annual Imagine Cup, teams from all over the world created products that are inclusive and accessible by design, including 2022’s Lifestyle category winner from Singapore, Sign2Sign, for its hands-on learning app for sign language.

By building accessibility into technology, Microsoft aims to equalise opportunities, said Richard. “Technology is a powerful force for good, and we are working towards fostering a future where everyone has access to the opportunities created by technology.”

He added: “Our ambition is not only to develop the next generation of accessible technology, but attract people with disabilities to help us develop them, We want feedback on how we can make our products even better.”

Microsoft set up its Singapore operations more than 30 years ago. Over the decades, he pointed out: “Singapore’s agility in technology, policies, as well as its ability to embrace technology has enabled Microsoft to be able to foster a culture of inclusion and partner with governments and organisations in many public-private partnerships.”

Ultimately the goal is to create a world that empowers every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. “When our tools and our platforms are put into the hands of creators, developers, engineers and business people, they are able to create different kinds of magic and a better world for all.”
 

Beauty that lays the foundation for inclusivity
 

While the sale of products is estimated to take the beauty and personal care industry to US$716 billion by 2025, Japanese skincare and cosmetics giant Shiseido goes beyond what’s skin deep.

As it celebrates 150 years in business in 2022, Shiseido’s Nicole points out: “We are also in the business of delivering hope — bringing a sense of well-being and happiness in everything that we do.”

At its Singapore base, the company has established Shiseido Life Quality Makeup initiative to address a variety of deep skin conditions, and appearance care for side effects of illness or medical treatment, through its Perfect Cover product series. Equipped with Shiseido's original optical correction technology, they help to address blue, red and brown discolorations; dark spots, dullness and dark circles due to cancer treatments; vitiligo; and uneven surfaces caused by acne and other scars.

“We hope to inspire everyone to look and feel their best; to live their lives confidently, and not be limited by their skin concerns in any way. This is a perfect example of contributing to the lifelong happiness of people and driving inclusivity through the power of beauty.”

Singapore’s multi-religious and multi-racial makeup gives the brand insights into a cross-section of Southeast Asia’s consumers. “Singapore’s diverse demographics provide the perfect test bed for our beauty innovations. From our APAC headquarters in Singapore, we get all the support we need to go to the region and help more people feel belonged.”

What’s more, she said: “Singapore also allows us to have access to research and academic partners, a comprehensive start-up ecosystem, and other partnership opportunities to help us uncover new solutions and address consumer and business needs specific for APAC.”
 

Levelling the playing field for the next billion
 

High-speed, always-on connectivity common in highly urbanised, affluent societies remain out of reach to those lacking infrastructure and financial resources. Transcelestial, a wireless fibre optics provider, aims to close this gap, believing that connectivity is a basic human right that drives education, information and opportunity for all.

Its future space laser network aims to position undersea cables from earth in space, which will simplify the cost, time and effort that goes into building the massive infrastructure for connectivity. Today, they are already bridging digital gaps in urban and sub-urban areas, plugging gaps in last-mile connectivity.

Rohit pointed out: “There’s a huge divide between people who have access to knowledge and resources and wealth, versus people who don’t have that daily. It’s very important to level the playing field.”

Coming from a small town in India himself gives him an intimate understanding of how communities can benefit from such access. “When you have access to high-speed connectivity, things like education, healthcare, financial security, and physical security, take a huge leap forward,” he emphasised, citing Singapore as an example of rapid growth because of digitalisation.

Transcelestial’s creation, the CENTAURI, a shoebox-sized device that delivers high-speed Internet, is wholly made in Singapore. It is complex, and involves advancements across electronics, optics, precision engineering optic-mechanics, AI and advanced algorithms, and a spectrum of disciplines to make it work.

Singapore’s highly skilled workforce enabled its development, said Rohit. “It’s taken a while, but we’ve been able to build the right manufacturing line in Singapore and pull in all the right people for it.”

Having access to an international talent pool has also given his team diversity, he added. “To build a product that’s meant to serve people all over the planet, we need people who have personal experience of connectivity transforming their lives, so they want the same for others.”

Singapore’s robust infrastructure for venture capital and highly skilled talent, especially for deep-tech startups like Transcelestial, was another key consideration in its selection of a base, as was its geographic advantage.

“Being located here allowed us to go to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, India and other emerging economies — places we could actually make a difference,” said Rohit. “While we are building from Singapore, we are building for the world.”