IMDA powers SG’s SMEs with fresh GenAI partnerships

Singapore is accelerating the adoption of generative AI (GenAI), cloud, and cybersecurity solutions among local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through fresh partnerships between the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and industry players Alibaba Cloud, Prudential Singapore, and ST Engineering.

Unveiled at ATxEnterprise on 27 May, these collaborations form part of the national Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB), which has supported over 10,000 enterprises since launching last year to digitalise operations, boost growth, and improve cyber defences.

Speaking at the event, Tan Kiat How, senior minister of state for communications and information, said the partnerships will help SMEs leverage frontier technologies while shoring up cyber resilience and tapping into GenAI capabilities. He also revealed two new AI talent programmes aimed at growing Singapore’s AI workforce and creating specialised career pathways.

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Under the new collaboration, Alibaba Cloud will support up to 3,000 SMEs and digital solution providers through its 'Digital accelerator programme'. The initiative provides cloud credits, technical training, expert consultations and trial access to Alibaba’s cloud AI model studio.

Prudential Singapore, working with Republic Polytechnic, will roll out the 'GenAI Xponential programme', offering a series of explainer videos and workshops to help SMEs better understand and adopt pre-approved GenAI solutions under IMDA’s scheme.

Meanwhile, ST Engineering will provide up to 2,000 SMEs with a one-time cyber threat scan via IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service platform, along with events designed to help businesses recognise and defend against emerging cyber threats.

IMDA said these efforts will build on strong momentum in the SME sector, with over 7,200 businesses already adopting AI-enabled, integrated and cloud-based solutions in the past year alone.

For digitally mature SMEs (DMEs), many of whom face more complex deployment challenges, IMDA had previously launched the 'GenAI x digital leaders' initiative in partnership with AWS and Microsoft. According to a statement, the initiative has equipped over 200 enterprises with technical know-how and access to GenAI expertise. Of those, 50 SMEs have implemented customised solutions, with some reporting productivity gains of up to 50% and cost savings reaching S$300,000 annually.

Additionally, IMDA is expanding the initiative to reach over 1,000 enterprises and support up to 500 projects in the coming year. The enhanced programme will deliver twice the number of discovery workshops and technical deep dives, while reducing solution development time and cost by half using pre-built GenAI modules and new development tools.

Participating SMEs will also gain access to cloud credits, compute power and a network of subject matter experts and model developers to help convert strategic needs into practical GenAI applications.

On the talent front, IMDA is ramping up efforts to address growing demand for AI professionals as more companies set up AI centres of excellence (AI COE) in Singapore. Through the TechSkills accelerator’s company-led training programme, IMDA has secured 400 local AI practitioner roles in collaboration with AWS, Microsoft, Oracle and Singtel.

To further boost the pipeline, IMDA is working with AI Singapore to launch two new training programmes. The AI apprenticeship programme (Industry), or AIAP(I), will train 300 locals over two years through a six-month hands-on programme covering AI, data and machine learning.

Graduates will be prepared for roles in AI COEs and other tech-focused firms. In parallel, the Pinnacle AI industry programme will equip 100 existing AI practitioners in frontier companies with model building expertise over the next three years.

AI Singapore has also unveiled the launch of the Pan-Southeast Asia AI developer challenge, a regional competition to develop practical and scalable AI solutions using models such as SEA-LION. The challenge aims to empower developers across the region to create tech with real-world impact.

Most recently, Grab launched its first AI COE in Singapore, backed by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), as part of its push to scale AI-driven solutions across Southeast Asia (SEA). According to the company, the launch marks a strategic shift towards using AI not just to enhance convenience, but to deliver public good, powering inclusion, enabling smarter cities, and helping SEA navigate its digital future.

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