Dear Members,

As you already know, this year marks the 15th anniversary of AIWM.

To better appreciate the significance of this milestone, below is a non‑exhaustive list of interesting facts highlighting what the world – and Singapore – looked like at the time of our founding on 14 March 2011, and how much it has evolved since then (with a little help from AI of course):

  • Bitcoin price was approximately between US $0.91 and $1.15.
  • The MRT Downtown Line only started operations in 2013.
  • Netflix was still primarily mailing DVDs.
  • NVIDIA shares traded between US $0.29 and US $0.64 in 2011.
  • Gardens by the Bay opened in 2012.
  • Singapore’s population has grown from approx 5.1 to 5.9 mil between 2011 and 2026.
  • The iPhone 4 was the newest iPhone on the market.
  • Instagram had around 10 million users, compared to over 2 billion today.
  • PayNow bank transfers were only introduced in 2017.
  • Working from home was unthinkable and very far away.
  • Marina Bay Sands had been officially inaugurated just one month earlier, in February 2011.
  • Ride‑hailing services did not yet exist.
  • AIWM’s membership grew from the 10 founding members to approx. 90 members today.
  • “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2011.
  • Singapore Airlines launched Scoot in November 2011.

This anniversary is not only a time to look back (perhaps with a touch of nostalgia) but also an opportunity to look ahead and plan the next chapters. With 15 years of experience behind us, this is the right moment to reflect on what kind of Association we want to be going forward.

AIWM is no longer a newborn. It is now a mature and solid reality, with the ambition to remain relevant, impactful, and active for at least another 15 years and beyond.

Finally, thank you to all our present and past members, committees’ members, sponsors and partners who have helped make this achievement possible.

Matteo Devecchi
AIWM Treasurer