Singapore is ramping up its efforts to help local businesses adopt cutting-edge technologies, with new partnerships and talent initiatives unveiled at ATxEnterprise on 27 May. These moves are part of the Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB), a national strategy to deepen enterprise use of advanced technologies such as generative AI (GenAI), cloud services, and cybersecurity.
Announced by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, the new initiatives include collaborations with Alibaba Cloud, Prudential Singapore, and ST Engineering. Alongside these efforts, two new AI talent programmes were introduced to train locals in specialised AI roles and strengthen Singapore’s status as a leading global AI hub.
Supporting SME digital growth through strategic partnerships
To build on the strong digital momentum seen among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is launching three major partnerships. Over the past year, more than 7,200 SMEs have adopted AI-enabled, cloud-based solutions. The new efforts aim to accelerate this trend.
The first initiative is the Alibaba Cloud Digital Accelerator Programme, which will support up to 3,000 SMEs and digital solution providers in enhancing their cloud and AI capabilities. Participants will benefit from access to cloud credits, expert consultation, training workshops, and trial use of Alibaba’s Cloud AI Model Studio.
Second, the GenAI Xponential Programme, a collaboration between Prudential Singapore and Republic Polytechnic, will roll out up to 10 explainer videos tailored for SMEs and conduct up to four workshops. These sessions aim to familiarise businesses with IMDA’s pre-approved GenAI solutions and encourage adoption.
Third, IMDA is working with ST Engineering to launch the SME CyberResilience Programme. This initiative will offer up to 2,000 SMEs a one-time complimentary cyber threat scan via IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service platform. It will also include awareness events to help SMEs better understand cyber threats and develop robust defence strategies.
These partnerships form part of DEB’s broader mission to help enterprises become smarter, scale faster, operate more securely, and upskill their workforce. Since its introduction in May 2024, the DEB has already reached over 10,000 enterprises across its four strategic areas.
Deepening GenAI use among digitally mature enterprises
While many digitally mature enterprises (DMEs) in Singapore are open to innovation, they still face challenges in scaling and maintaining GenAI systems for complex business needs. IMDA’s GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative, launched in 2024, has helped more than 200 DMEs gain deeper technical knowledge and better access to expertise from AWS and Microsoft.
So far, 50 of these businesses have gone on to implement custom GenAI projects, leading to estimated productivity gains of up to 50% and annual savings as high as S$300,000.
Building on this progress, IMDA will expand its work with AWS and Microsoft. The enhanced programme aims to benefit over 1,000 enterprises and support up to 500 GenAI-related projects in the coming year. These businesses will receive increased support, including more Tech Discovery Workshops and in-depth technical sessions.
With access to pre-built GenAI modules and essential resources such as compute power and cloud credits, DMEs will be able to shorten development timelines and reduce implementation costs. The aim is to help enterprises translate their business goals into effective GenAI solutions more easily and efficiently.
New AI talent programmes to meet growing industry demand
With more global companies setting up AI centres of excellence in Singapore, the demand for skilled AI professionals continues to rise. To address this, IMDA has secured 400 AI Practitioner job placements through the TechSkills Accelerator’s Company-Led Training programme. Partners include major firms such as AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Singtel.
To further build the talent pipeline, IMDA is launching two new training programmes in partnership with AI Singapore (AISG). These will provide an additional 400 job and training opportunities.
The AI Apprenticeship Programme (Industry), or AIAP(I), is set to begin in June 2025. Developed with AISG, the six-month course will train locals in AI, data, and machine learning, preparing 300 participants for roles in AI-focused companies over the next two years.
Another initiative, the Pinnacle AI Industry Programme (PAIP), is aimed at upskilling 100 current AI professionals into expert model builders. This full-time, six-month programme, supported by AISG’s SEA-LION team, will launch in the second half of 2025.
Southeast Asia’s first regional AI developer challenge launched
AISG also announced a new Pan-Southeast Asia AI Developer Challenge, marking the first initiative of its kind in the region. The challenge invites regional developers to create scalable AI applications using models like SEA-LION. It aims to drive practical innovation and foster cross-border collaboration in AI, delivering meaningful outcomes across Southeast Asia.
