Microsoft partners with Singapore to accelarate AI adoption in SMEs

Microsoft has announced the expansion of its AI Pinnacle Program on May 21. The plan aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore. This initiative includes new partnerships with Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and AI Singapore (AISG) to integrate AI technologies into SMEs.

The program aims to support over 1,000 local SMEs in the next two years by leveraging an AI assistant called Microsoft Copilot. To speed up the implementation, EnterpriseSG will subsidize 50% of the Microsoft Copilot license costs for eligible SMEs for a year, with each company eligible to purchase up to 50 licenses at the discounted rate.

This collaboration also involves educating SMEs on responsible AI use and building their AI capabilities. An ecosystem where leaders can develop AI strategies and employees are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to easily navigate the AI era was highlighted by the Microsoft’s Managing Director for Singapore.

Microsoft has also partnered with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to enhance the AI capabilities of digitally mature SMEs. This partnership will offer workshops and tech advisory services to help more than 200 SMEs identify and meet their business needs with AI solutions over the next two years. IMDA will provide funding for eligible companies to develop and deploy generative AI solutions, utilizing tools such as Azure OpenAI and Copilot.

IMDA’s ongoing SME Go Digital programme, which supports digitalization efforts since 2017, will now integrate AI capabilities into tech vendors’ solutions, providing SMEs with more AI-powered tools to boost productivity, foster innovation and improve customer experiences.

The government is also taking steps to support AI-enabled solutions for SMEs. Starting in June 2024, the new Applied AI program will launch at institutes of higher learning such as Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic. EnterpriseSG will partner with these institutions to address AI-related challenges faced by SMEs and develop market-ready AI solutions, offering a 50% subsidy for eligible SMEs to adopt these solutions.

This initiative is part of Singapore’s broader National AI Strategy 2.0, which includes a $1 billion investment in AI over the next five years. The strategy aims to triple the AI workforce to at least 15,000 and ensure that all industries in Singapore are proficient in AI capabilities.

Singapore’s government is aiming at upskilling and reskilling Singapore’s tech professionals. In collaboration with industry partners like Microsoft, the government plans to train about 18,000 tech professionals in AI and software engineering over the next three years, reinforcing talent as a key resource in empowering Singapore’s digital economy.