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Leslie Teo
AI Singapore, Senior Director
Speaker Bio
Leslie Teo is Senior Director, AI Products at AI Singapore, where he leads SEA-LION (Southeast Asian Languages in One Network), an open-source AI initiative for Southeast Asia. His work spans models, data and evaluation, and practical services and platforms that help developers, businesses, and public institutions use AI in local languages and contexts.
Leslie works at the intersection of economics, finance, technology, and public policy. He served as Chief Economist and Managing Director at GIC, held senior economist roles at the International Monetary Fund, and helped establish the financial-stability and surveillance function at the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He later held senior data, strategy, and advisory roles at Grab and Great Eastern.
Leslie was appointed to the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.
He serves as an independent director of IPOS International, Sofina, and Coinbase Singapore. He holds a PhD in Economics and Finance from the University of Rochester, a Master of Information and Data Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Chicago. He is a CFA charterholder and holds the PRMIA risk-management certification.
