The number of AI initiatives rolled out yesterday by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the SG Government gov.sg was staggering, even for someone like me who has been actively training people in Gen AI.
Here’s an overview:
1️⃣ Strategic Leadership: PM Wong will chair a new inter-ministerial National AI Council to steer the country’s strategy, shape regulations, and allocate resources for rapid AI deployment.
2️⃣ Sectoral Missions: The government is launching National AI Missions focused on accelerating innovation in four high-growth areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Finance, and Healthcare.
3️⃣ Tax Breaks for AI: The Enterprise Innovation Scheme will be enhanced for 2027 and 2028, offering businesses 400% tax deductions on qualifying AI expenditures to lower the barrier for adoption.
4️⃣ A Physical Innovation Hub: JTC will establish a dedicated AI park at one-north, providing a specialized ecosystem for startups, researchers, and established firms to network and test-bed new solutions.
5️⃣ Expanding the Talent Pool: The TechSkills Accelerator is moving beyond “techies” to help non-tech professionals—starting with the legal and accounting sectors—gain essential AI competencies.
6️⃣ Premium Tools for Learners: To encourage “learning by doing,” Singaporeans enrolled in selected AI courses will receive six months of free access to premium AI tools and a revamped MySkillsFuture portal for clearer learning pathways.
Even before yesterday’s Budget unveiling, I’ve been receiving more requests for large-scale upskilling of organisations and several leaders have asked for 1-on-1 AI coaching. The 2026 Budget will get more companies to finally get started on transforming their work processes and will probably cause many leaders to feel concerned about their employee’s AI literacy levels.
If you need someone to talk to about your organisation’s AI upskilling efforts, feel free to message me directly here. I’ve spent three years training people in Gen AI and I’m ready to do my part for Singapore.