[SINGAPORE] A five-member judging panel will assess and determine the winners of next year’s Design AI and Tech Awards (Daita), jointly organised by The Business Times and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
The annual competition aims to stir innovators from startups and companies into harnessing design and technology to develop groundbreaking solutions that tackle real-life business challenges.
Once again, the chairman of the judging panel is Professor Tai Lee Siang, the deputy president and chief innovation and enterprise officer of SUTD.
Two new judges have come on board – Jenny Lee, senior managing partner of multi-asset investment firm Granite Asia, and Dr Leslie Teo, the senior director of artificial intelligence (AI) products at AI Singapore.
AI Singapore is a national programme that was set up to enhance the country’s AI capabilities, to power its future digital economy.
Lee is no stranger to the awards. For the inaugural edition, all finalists gained access to Granite Asia’s events, masterclasses and networking opportunities, with the final three also receiving additional consultation hours from her.
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“It’s an honour to join the Daita 2026 judging panel. Design and AI are transforming how organisations – from SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to large enterprises – innovate and create meaningful impact,” said Lee, whose portfolio includes 21 companies valued at more than US$1 billion each.
“I look forward to recognising solutions that harness these technologies with creativity, responsibility and purpose.”
As for Dr Teo, he noted that the focus should be on solving meaningful problems and building solutions that deliver real value.
“AI and technology are just tools – the real test is creating impact that lasts. Ensure your idea is backed by a sustainable business model so it can thrive and grow,” he said.
Prof Tai, meanwhile, pointed out that the arrival of AI “fundamentally blurs the line” between intelligence, design and manufacturing.
“Centuries of human intelligence can now be synergised to create powerful innovations. The application of such intelligence in manufacturing will bring a closure to decades of irresponsible consumption and wastage,” he said.
“All these promises are contingent on the education of the right talents who can master design and AI. Therefore, SUTD has taken up the mantle to transform the next generation of design and technology leaders. Together with industry changemakers, we are optimistic to see a sea change that will result in a better world for tomorrow.”
The other two judges are BT editor Chen Huifen and DesignSingapore Council executive director Dawn Lim. Both were also on the panel for the first edition of Daita, which celebrated a range of innovations across three main categories: product design, system design and spatial design.
“AI is no longer just potential – it’s a practical tool for solving real world challenges. Daita is designed to find and celebrate the groups deploying it with the most impact, hopefully turning their pioneering work into inspiration for others as well,” said Chen.
New categories
The 2026 edition of Daita will have only two categories – startups and SMEs, and large enterprises. Outstanding entries from each category will be shortlisted to present their ideas at a dedicated event, with three top prizes awarded per category.
Submissions will be assessed across five criteria: design thinking process and strategies; originality, functionality and aesthetics; utilisation of AI and advanced technologies; ethical consideration and sustainability; and whether the design has made a quantitative and qualitative impact.
Applications for Daita 2026 are open until Jan 31, 2026. More information can be found here.
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