In today’s Digest, we discuss OpenAI committing USD$234m as Singapore signs new AI deals, Google debuting a new AI model amid pressure from coding rivals, and UK advertising returning to Cannes Lions.

Google debuts new AI model 

Google has introduced a new version of its AI model, claiming it delivers stronger coding capabilities and improved autonomous task execution while operating at a lower cost than competing systems from Anthropic and OpenAI. Unveiled at the company’s annual I/O conference in Mountain View, the Gemini 3.5 Flash model is described by Google as a significant advancement in building more capable AI agents that can independently complete user-defined tasks.

The company says the model matches the performance of rival tools such as Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex, while running faster and at up to half the cost. Google also plans to integrate these agent capabilities more broadly into a redesigned search experience.

Singapore signs AI deals with Google & OpenAI 

Singapore has signed separate agreements with Google and OpenAI as part of its push to strengthen its position as a global AI hub and accelerate AI adoption across sectors including healthcare, education, public services and enterprise. The announcements, made during the ATxSummit technology conference, include a new National AI Partnership with Google and Singapore’s first memorandum of understanding with OpenAI, which will establish an AI lab in the city-state.

Under the agreement, OpenAI will invest more than USD$234m (£173m) into Singapore’s AI ecosystem, with plans to launch the “OpenAI Singapore Applied AI Lab”, the company’s first such facility outside the United States. The lab is expected to create more than 200 jobs over the coming years and support projects focused on education, finance, healthcare, digital infrastructure and workforce training. 

Google’s partnership, while not tied to a financial commitment, will focus on advancing AI research, workforce development and secure AI deployment, including collaborations in healthcare, life sciences and education. 

UK advertising returns to Cannes Lions

The Advertising Association will lead a government-backed UK advertising trade mission to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this June as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s position as a leading global exporter of advertising and marketing services. Now in its sixth year, the initiative curated by the UK Advertising Exports Group aims to help British companies expand internationally by building strategic partnerships and unlocking opportunities in key growth markets. 

This year’s delegation will operate from the Empower Café near the Palais in Cannes, hosting roundtables, networking sessions and leadership events designed to showcase UK creative and technological expertise to global industry executives. Industry leaders said the Cannes presence is intended not only to celebrate UK creativity, but also to drive commercial growth, deepen international ties and reinforce the country’s standing among the world’s most influential advertising markets.