The Singapore government has introduced two new initiatives to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among businesses and workers. Announced during the Committee of Supply Debates, the initiatives aim to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate AI into their operations while ensuring the workforce is equipped with essential AI skills.
AI support for SMEs
Many SMEs face difficulties in implementing AI, often struggling to decide whether to invest in off-the-shelf solutions or customised tools. To address this, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has launched the GenAI Playbook and GenAI Navigator. These resources provide structured guidance on AI adoption, covering governance best practices, pre-approved AI tools for SMEs, and strategies for effective implementation.
Brian Kealey, Country Leader of Salesforce Singapore, welcomed the governmentโs latest initiatives and highlighted their role in helping SMEs harness the full potential of AI.
“The new initiatives introduced today, including the GenAI Playbook and GenAI Navigator, will go a long way in helping Singaporean SMEs unlock true value from AI. They complement the ongoing efforts to boost effective technology adoption via industry partnerships such as the Data + AI Boost SME Programme run by Salesforce together with IMDA.”
Kealey noted that many SMEs operate with limited resources, which can lead to inefficiencies and poor customer experiences. He stressed the importance of adopting AI solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and business processes.
“Unfortunately, often adopted solutions like chatbots and copilots are outdated, struggle to provide accurate, trusted responses to complex requests, and cannot take action on their own. To unlock new capacity, SMEs should turn to autonomous AI agents โ a limitless digital workforce โ that can tap into trusted organisational data, reason, and operate within existing workflows to take action on behalf of overwhelmed teams.”
He pointed to Salesforceโs digital labour platform, Agentforce, as a tool that allows businesses to build AI-powered agents for sales, service, marketing, and commerce. These agents can be customised to suit an organisationโs needs, enabling SMEs to scale their workforce efficiently.
AI training for workers
In addition to supporting businesses, the government is expanding its SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace 2.0 programme to include AI and generative AI training. The update is designed for workers with little to no technical background, ensuring they can use AI tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot to enhance productivity.
Kealey welcomed the expansion of the training programme, noting that AI is fundamentally reshaping how work is done across industries.
“We welcome updates to the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace 2.0 programme, which now includes AI and generative AI training.”
He highlighted that the rise of autonomous AI agents presents new opportunities for workers to focus on strategic and high-value tasks. However, adapting to AI-driven workflows will be key for employees to remain competitive in the job market.
“The real challenge for employees isn’t just learning about AI but knowing how to apply it in their day-to-day roles to drive productivity and efficiency. Upskilling must equip employees with the skills to work effectively alongside AI agents, ensuring they know how to use AI ethically, safely, and responsibly to drive positive business outcomes.”
The updated SkillsFuture programme aims to bridge this gap by providing hands-on training, helping workers integrate AI into their daily tasks while ensuring responsible and ethical AI usage. With these initiatives, Singapore is strengthening its position as a leader in AI adoption, ensuring that both businesses and workers are prepared for the future.
