Singapore SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) have more avenues to adopt AI with new programmes that result from a collaboration between Enterprise Singapore, AI Singapore (AISG), the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Microsoft.
These initiatives, announced at the launch of Microsoft Copilot for SME event, which was attended by Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, will help Singapore companies access AI solutions and develop AI-related capabilities.
Microsoft Copilot for SMEs programme
Jointly administered by Microsoft, EnterpriseSG, and AI Singapore (AISG), this programme aims to drive the adoption of the Copilot for Microsoft 365 solution among local companies. SMEs can look forward to working with Microsoft’s appointed partners to adopt Copilot for Microsoft 365 and participating in specially designed training workshops to harness the AI-powered solution effectively for enhanced everyday business productivity.
SMEs can also tap on AISG’s suite of training programmes and workshops to educate themselves on the broader applications of AI beyond Copilot for Microsoft 365.
EnterpriseSG will defray 50% of the Copilot for Microsoft 365 license costs for eligible businesses, and each SME will be able to purchase up to 50 licenses at the subsidised rate for a 12-month subscription period. Through the programme, EnterpriseSG aims to support more than 1,000 local SMEs in adopting Copilot for Microsoft 365 in the next two years. More information can be found here.
Applied AI programme at Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL)
EnterpriseSG will also support SMEs looking for more sophisticated AI integration or unable to find suitable “off-the-shelf” solutions, to develop and deploy bespoke AI solutions. Under the new Applied AI programme at IHLs, EnterpriseSG has partnered with institutes that can work directly with SMEs to curate AI problem statements, build customised market-ready AI solutions, and deploy them across various business functions.
To help defray some of the associated costs, EnterpriseSG will provide a 50% subsidy for eligible SMEs to develop and adopt these customised AI solutions through this programme.
The Applied AI programme will start with Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) from June 2024. Leveraging their technical expertise in AI and industry experience, the programme will enable SMEs to identify specific pain points and develop effective AI execution strategies, solutions, and implementation plans.
Over the next few years, EnterpriseSG will progressively bring on more IHL partners and aim to support more than 100 SMEs under this programme.
Digitally Mature Singapore Enterprises
The IMDA and Microsoft have also signed a new Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to help SMEs and technology vendors leverage generative AI (GenAI), enabling digitally mature enterprises to strengthen their capabilities in GenAI and to develop and deploy customised GenAI solutions, with more than 200 digitally mature Singapore SMEs to benefit over the next two years as a start. Microsoft and IMDA will also uplift tech providers in enabling their solutions with AI capabilities that would help scale AI adoption amongst SMEs.
This is Microsoft’s second AI initiative for Singaporean companies in 2024. In March, the tech giant signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with SkillsFuture Singapore and NTUC LearningHub to raise AI literacy in Singapore.
Featured Image Credit: Enterprise SG. Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry
