Budget 2026 to drive AI adoption & skills in Singapore

Global technology firms have welcomed Singapore's Budget 2026 focus on artificial intelligence and skills, saying the new national AI measures and training programmes will strengthen competitiveness and workforce resilience.

The Budget introduced new national AI measures, including a National AI Council and National AI Missions, and expanded support for companies investing in innovation and digital tools.

Executives from FPT Software and cloud firm Salesforce said the package signals a shift from experimental AI adoption to large-scale deployment, while renewing attention on AI literacy and fluency across the workforce.

"The new national AI measures will be critical in scaling enterprise AI readiness and strengthening Singapore's competitive workforce. Developing a sustainable, AI-augmented talent pipeline is essential to realising the vision of the Budget," said David Nguyen, Senior Vice President, FPT Software and FPT Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer, FPT Corporation.

AI mindset

Building an AI-ready workforce, Nguyen said, requires changing how staff approach problem-solving and decision-making.

"To truly build an AI-ready workforce, organisations must go beyond isolated use cases and embed an AI-first mindset at scale. At FPT, this mindset is a core pillar of our organisational AI strategy. We encourage teams in Singapore and across our global operations to approach problem-solving in partnership with AI, integrating it into everyday decision-making and delivery. This requires a strong emphasis on critical thinking and evaluation frameworks, ensuring employees understand when and how to apply AI responsibly and effectively to unlock its full value from the outset," he said.

FPT has invested in AI training programmes in collaboration with international research and technology partners.

"To support this cultural shift, FPT has embedded AI throughout our people development journey. Through strategic partnerships with global AI leaders like NVIDIA, Mila Institute and Landing AI, we have nurtured next-generation talents via initiatives like residency programs, AI hackathons, AI labs and AI factories in collaboration with our partners. These initiatives have helped scale a workforce of over 25,000 AI-augmented, certified engineers, ready to deliver high-impact solutions to clients worldwide," Nguyen said.

Irreversible trend

Nguyen described AI as a structural shift in how organisations compete and organise work.

"AI is an irreversible force that unlocks new capabilities and redefines how organisations compete. Singapore's ambitions in AI are bold and inspiring but realising them will require businesses and individuals to embrace both the opportunities and the risks of AI, and to act decisively. By using AI to enhance human intelligence and productivity, while staying anchored in the core values of trust, creativity and empathy, organisations can create enduring value and cement Singapore's global leadership in innovation," he said.

Budget as catalyst

Salesforce described the Budget as a new phase in Singapore's digital strategy, placing AI at the centre of economic planning and skills policy.

"As a resource-scarce nation, Singapore's historical 'edge' has been the intentional maximization of human capital. Today, we face a new inflection point as AI rapidly evolves. The conversation is shifting from merely using or experimenting with AI, to capturing sustained value, a view acknowledged in Singapore Budget 2026," said Paul Carvouni, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Salesforce ASEAN.

"Budget 2026 serves as the catalyst for this transition. It isn't just a collection of policies and initiatives - it's a blueprint of a high-functioning digital economy where technology moves fast, and people move with it. Singapore is cementing its leadership in AI-driven innovation and providing a roadmap for transitioning from digital adopters to global competitors," he said.

Salesforce has worked with government-led SME digitalisation programmes and said the new AI schemes would push adoption beyond early pilots.

"For AI to actually move the needle, it has to be accessible. We saw this early on with the Digital Enterprise Blueprint, with Salesforce pledging commitment to equip SMEs with AI capabilities under the Data+AI Boost SME Program. Initiatives such as the new Champions of AI programme, and the expansions of the Enterprise Innovation Scheme and Productivity Solutions Grant, show the importance for mass adoption," Carvouni said.

'Last mile' of AI

Carvouni said companies also need the right data, governance and infrastructure around AI models.

"Value realisation requires businesses to bridge the last mile gap - between pure capabilities and the infrastructure or form that makes it practical, accessible and deployable at scale. In the context of AI, that requires supplementing LLMs with the context, control, observability, and orchestration that enterprise-grade AI demands. That means a broader system that incorporates data, metadata, business logic, guardrails, security protocols, and other elements to ensure AI agents work consistently at scale. This last mile - converting raw intelligence into enterprise-grade AI - is where true business value resides," he said.

Skills focus

The Budget speech placed significant emphasis on AI skills, training pathways and support for workforce transitions. Carvouni linked this to longer-term labour market shifts.

"The focus on AI skills shows the government is committed to keeping people at the heart of progress. AI is fundamentally reshaping how work gets done. This means that every role, every industry and every company must be redesigned for a new era of human-AI collaboration," he said.

"The emphasis on strengthening AI literacy for students, and supporting the workforce with AI use at work is a good start. But more than that, our workforce needs AI fluency - the ability to confidently collaborate with AI and drive business impact at speed and scale - to thrive in this new AI era. Whether it's through the clearer AI-learning pathways in SkillsFuture or Trailhead, Salesforce's free training platform, the goal is the same: making sure Singaporeans are empowered by AI. Singapore possesses the inherent talent advantage required to capture the AI opportunity. Those who can best augment their skills with AI will be the ones who secure their career longevity," Carvouni said.

Trusted hub

Industry responses also focused on the creation of new national AI governance structures.

"For a small nation to punch above its weight, we must be more than just users; we must be the architects of a trusted ecosystem. The new National AI Council and National AI Missions set a bold direction: Singapore as the world's trusted hub for AI innovation. It's what we're already living with our Salesforce AI Research Hub right here in Singapore," Carvouni said.

"The Bottom Line: Singapore is moving beyond the 'experimental' phase of AI. Budget 2026 gives us the vision and tools to turn technological potential into national progress and business impact. The winners will be those who view AI as a force multiplier for people," he said.