Artificial Intelligence in Singapore for businesses – a round-up from January to March 2025

1. NBCU Converge: How Singapore is upskilling ‘every generation’ for the AI age

Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, spoke about how Singapore funds pre-employment training and continuing education to ensure workers are equipped with updated skills that allow them to thrive in their jobs.

When it comes to AI, this means ensuring that people are equipped to use AI to contribute to their own businesses and employers, she said at CNBC Converge Live. A global conference held in Singapore in March 2025 that brought together more than 700 global business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and key decision-makers.

Initiatives like the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace 2.0 programme are being expanded to incorporate AI and Generative AI (GenAI) content, providing workers with hands-on experience in using AI tools. The TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative is also being scaled up to support both fresh graduates and mid-career professionals in acquiring AI-related skills.

While acknowledging the US and China’s dominance in the global AI landscape, Minister Teo explained that Singapore is carving a distinct path by prioritising the building of necessary infrastructure, strategic partnerships and practical applications of AI.

On the matter of regulation, Singapore is also actively involved in global discussions on balancing the need for innovation with addressing near-term risks such as AI bias, cybersecurity, and the misuse of AI-generated content. Global frameworks are going to be critical, the Minister said.

“If you talk to businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions and in the digital domain, the porosity means that you are in many markets and to have to deal with a different set of rules for each market that you go to.

“The lack of interoperability is a great impediment to business expansion. It is also difficult to ensure that citizens of each of these jurisdictions are protected to a comparable degree.”

Read her remarks or watch the fireside chat:

2. More support for Singapore firms to tap AI solutions in Budget 2025

Businesses in Singapore are getting more support to accelerate their efforts in integrating AI into their operations and services. Singapore’s Budget 2025, announced in February, includes enhanced financial support and streamlined grant schemes, aimed at boosting productivity and innovation.

These measures include:

• Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI): A S$150 million initiative aimed at helping businesses leverage AI more effectively in their digital transformation journeys by reducing the cost and expertise barriers to AI adoption. Eligible enterprises can partner with major cloud service providers to gain access to AI tools, computing power and expert consultancy services.
• Another new grant, the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (WDG), simplifies the application process for workforce development support and offers enhanced funding for job redesign activities (up to 70 per cent), which could include roles involving AI.

Find out more about these measures and other Budget benefits you can tap on here >>
 

3. SAP Labs to upskill Singapore R&D talent in its drive to create next-generation AI innovations

SAP Labs Singapore is enhancing its artificial intelligence (AI) innovation capabilities by focusing on the development of local talent in Singapore. The company’s efforts will include an emphasis on local talent development programmes such as comprehensive training, collaborative research projects, and partnerships with local universities and institutions.

This approach ensures that Singapore's workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and expertise to lead in the AI domain, driving innovation across various sectors.
Discover more >>

4. Meta launches Llama Incubator Programme in Singapore

The programme is designed to enhance the development of open AI technologies within Singapore and aims to empower local startups and researchers by providing them with access to Meta's Llama large language models, along with resources and expertise to build novel AI applications and solutions.

By making use of Meta's cutting-edge AI models, participants will be able to accelerate their research and development efforts, contributing to the growth of Singapore's AI talent pool and the development of impactful AI-driven applications across various sectors.
Learn more >>
 

5. Capitalising on APAC’s AI growth: Amazon and Heineken choose Singapore for APAC Hub and GenAI Lab

Amazon's establishment of its new Singapore office as the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Asia Pacific hub signals Singapore’s vital role in supporting the company’s regional cloud infrastructure and service delivery, offering businesses enhanced access to scalable and reliable cloud solutions.
Read more >>

Separately, Heineken's launch of its Global GenAI Lab in Singapore shows how businesses can locate global centres of AI expertise in Singapore. Heineken says it will benefit from the country’s ecosystem, talent and supportive government policies to develop innovative solutions for critical business areas — from content creation to financial reporting and customer support. 
Get more details >>

6. Salesforce to invest USD $1B in Singapore over 5 years

Salesforce announced it will invest US$1 billion (S$1.35b) in Singapore over the next five years, underscoring the country’s role as a key hub in support of its growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

The company’s CEO and Co-founder, Marc Benioff, noted that Singapore’s position in Southeast Asia enables companies stationed here to get access to growth in businesses.

Watch his interview with EDB >>

Saleforce’s investment will be channelled towards expanding the firm’s infrastructure, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships, enhancing its capacity to serve the growing demand for cloud-based solutions and AI-driven applications in the region.

Salesforce's investment will also significantly enhance Singapore's digital economy. It will also foster innovation and support the creation of AI-powered solutions.

These solutions will address the evolving demands of businesses across diverse industries, generating new avenues for growth and technological advancement.
Learn more >>

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