Singapore will establish a new National AI Council, chaired by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.
The council will oversee “AI missions” in four key sectors — namely, advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance and healthcare sectors — to harness the power of AI.
“AI is advancing at remarkable speed,” says Wong. “We are reaching a stage where systems can write their own code and improve through iterative learning.”
The potential for the technology is “immense”, he adds, in raising productivity, unlocking new discoveries and transforming lives.
However, he asserts that AI is ultimately still a tool. “[So, AI] must serve our national interest and people. We will define how AI is developed and used in Singapore. We will set clear rules to ensure it is applied responsibly and safely. And we will ensure that its benefits are shared widely across society,” he says.
Enterprise Innovation Scheme to include AI expenditures as qualifying activity for YA2027 and 2028
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To support corporate AI adoption, the Enterprise Innovation Scheme will be expanded to include AI expenditures as a qualifying activity for the Years of Assessment (YA) 2027 and 2028 and capped at $50,000 per YA.
The scheme already provides businesses with 400% tax deductions on activities such as research and development (R&D), innovation and capability development.
Similarly, the existing Productivity Solutions Grant (which helps firms defray the cost of adopting digital tools) will also be broadened to cover more digital and AI-enabled solutions.
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On the ecosystem front, Singapore will establish an AI park at One-North. The initiative builds on Lorong AI, a pilot co-working space intended to foster collaboration within the AI community.
“This will be a new cluster to catalyse ideas, forge collaborations, and translate AI initiatives into practical solutions for businesses and public services,” says Wong.
Workforce push
Singapore will also roll out measures to support workers as they transition to an AI-driven economy.
“Singapore will not be passive in the face of rapid changes around us. We will adapt. We will compete. We will continue to move forward with confidence,” says Wong
The TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme will be expanded to support AI skills training in non-technical and cross-sector occupations. Currently, TeSA helps mid-career workers transition into technology jobs and enables existing tech professionals to upgrade their skills.
Under the expanded mandate, the Infocomm Media Development Authority will work with professional bodies across industries to identify the competencies needed to redesign workflows using AI.
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The SkillsFuture website will also be revamped to make AI learning pathways clearer and more accessible, enabling workers to more easily identify courses aligned with their job needs and proficiency levels.
To lower barriers to hands-on learning, Singaporeans who enrol in selected AI training courses will receive six months of complimentary access to premium AI tools, which typically require paid subscriptions.
“This will allow them to practise, experiment and apply what they have learnt,” says Wong.
He adds that several ministries are involved in the cross-cutting effort to raise Singaporeans’ AI capabilities, with further details to be provided during the upcoming Committee of Supply debate.
