TheBadPlaceyahoo news | Peter Thiel-backed Cognition pushes into Asia with Japan, Singapore offices
Peter Thiel‑backed artificial‑intelligence startup Cognition AI announced on April 9, 2026 that it is opening its first Asian office in Tokyo, Japan, with a second location slated for Singapore later this year. The move comes as the company seeks to capture growing demand for software‑automation solutions in regions where engineering talent is increasingly scarce.
Cognition AI’s co‑founder and president, Russell Kaplan, said Japan has emerged as one of the firm’s most promising overseas markets, citing a combination of strong corporate interest in AI‑driven productivity tools and an ongoing shortage of skilled engineers. The Tokyo office will focus on helping Japanese enterprises automate routine processes, while the forthcoming Singapore hub will serve as a regional hub for Southeast Asian clients facing similar talent gaps.
By establishing a physical presence in both Japan and Singapore, Cognition AI aims to accelerate the adoption of its AI‑coding platform across Asia, positioning itself to meet the rising expectations of businesses that need scalable automation in a tight labor market. The expansion underscores the broader trend of U.S. AI firms seeking growth outside North America as they tap into new customer bases hungry for technology‑enabled efficiency.
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