Singapore Allocates SGD 1 Billion to Strengthen AI Research Ecosystem
On January 24, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo announced that Singapore will invest over SGD 1 billion (~ USD 785 million) from 2025-2030 to boost public AI research capabilities. Funding will focus on fundamental and applied AI, as well as talent development, to support Singapore's National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2.0. Investments will establish AI Research Centres of Excellence, advance resource-efficient AI, scale applied AI efforts, and expand scholarships, global research exchanges, and talent pipeline development. This marks the second tranche of the National AI R&D Plan, following SGD 500 million committed from 2019 to 2023. Sustained investments builds on Singapore's constraint-to-advantage model meant to position Singapore's AI research as both a domestic necessity and a potential export.
In line with these investments, national economic reviews position AI as a key driver for Singapore’s medium-term growth. Policymakers are stressing that adoption must deliver productivity gains across sectors rather than remain concentrated in tech. Furthermore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore noted that AI tailwinds could support economic resilience in 2026, provided firms accelerate digital transformation and workforce adaptation. Recognizing AI’s disruptive impact on jobs, Singapore, in partnership with industry leaders, is advancing a comprehensive workforce strategy focused on embedding AI literacy across education and mid-career training, aligning SkillsFuture programs with industry demand, and strengthening career transition support.