Skilling
Singapore commits S$1 billion to AI research, accelerates adoption across key industries
The funding will help speed up AI adoption in sectors such as manufacturing, trade, healthcare, urban solutions, and sustainability. Minister Teo cited Jewel Changi Airport as a real-world example, where AI is used in security screening, baggage handling, and robotic inspections and cleaning.
Singapore has committed more than S$1 billion to artificial intelligence research over the next five years, underscoring its ambition to cement its status as a global AI hub while accelerating adoption across key sectors of the economy.
The investment, spanning 2025 to 2030, was announced by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, with Minister Josephine Teo unveiling the National AI Research and Development (NAIRD) Plan at the Singapore AI Research Week 2026 Gala Dinner.
The five-year initiative marks the government’s second major funding push into public AI research. It follows an earlier investment of over S$500 million between 2019 and 2023, which helped build Singapore’s foundational AI research ecosystem, according to reporting by The Straits Times.
The latest funding will be drawn from Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) plans for 2025 and 2030.
Three-pronged approach
The NAIRD Plan is built around a three-pronged strategy: advancing fundamental AI research, scaling applied AI capabilities, and strengthening talent development.
As part of the initiative, the government will establish new Research Centres of Excellence (RCEs) at public research institutions.
These centres will focus on priority areas such as responsible AI, resource-efficient AI, emerging AI methods, and general-purpose AI systems.
Teo said the centres are designed to take on long-term, complex challenges and will work closely with partners both locally and internationally.
“We expect them to partner actively with others in our local ecosystem and internationally,” she said. “We also want their research discoveries to be shared openly, to contribute to the global knowledge commons.”
The new RCEs will complement Singapore’s existing network of more than 60 AI Centres of Excellence launched by technology companies with government backing.
Driving adoption in key industries
Beyond research, the funding aims to accelerate AI adoption in strategic sectors including manufacturing, trade, healthcare, urban solutions, and sustainability.
Teo pointed to Jewel Changi Airport as an example of applied AI in action, citing the use of AI-enabled security screening, automated baggage handling, and robotics for inspection and cleaning operations.
Talent development is another core pillar of the plan. The government will expand scholarships and research opportunities across the pipeline, from pre-university students to PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty-level roles, at leading institutions.
The investment will also support the AI Visiting Professorship programme, launched in 2024, which brings top global researchers to collaborate with Singapore-based institutions. To date, the programme has supported eight projects aligned with the national AI research agenda.
The announcement comes during Singapore AI Research Week 2026, held from January 19 to 27 alongside the 40th Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence Conference, featuring 40 events organised by more than 25 partners across government, academia, and industry.
Author
Loading...
Loading...