Singtel Singapore has announced the launch of AI.dea — an AI business transformation programme, developed in partnership with SIM Academy — to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore accelerate AI adoption and unlock new opportunities for productivity, innovation and growth.
As AI moves from experimentation to real-world deployment, many businesses continue to grapple with the complexities of implementation. In Singapore, while AI has proven to be a powerful driver of productivity and growth, adoption among SMEs remains relatively low.
According to the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025, only 14.5% of SMEs have implemented AI solutions, compared to 62.5% of larger enterprises — highlighting a widening competitive gap.
The AI.dea programme aims to address this gap by making AI accessible, practical and secure for local businesses. The programme will equip SMEs with the capabilities to integrate AI into their operations and compete more effectively in an increasingly digital economy. To boost adoption, eligible SMEs will receive up to 90% in funding from SkillsFuture Singapore.
Mr Ng Tian Chong, CEO of Singtel Singapore, said, “AI has quickly become a key driver of business transformation, but many organisations are still figuring out where to even begin.
“Singtel Singapore’s own journey has shown that success with AI requires more than just technology — it takes the right capabilities, governance and mindset.
“With AI.dea, we are bringing these lessons to SMEs, helping them to adopt AI applications before committing to full-scale deployment so they can realise tangible business outcomes.”
Mr Ho Seong Kim, CEO of SIM Academy, added, “As Singapore advances its National AI Strategy, SMEs — the foundation of our business ecosystem — must be equipped to participate meaningfully in this transformation.”
“As the selected learning partner for this programme, we leverage our expertise in applied, outcome-driven learning to help SME leaders build in-house capabilities, develop actionable adoption strategies, and implement AI with confidence to drive tangible business outcomes.”
A structured approach to AI adoption
AI.dea is designed to help SMEs overcome common barriers to adoption, including limited in-house expertise, uncertainty around implementation, and concerns around data security and governance.
Through a structured, hands-on approach, participants will design, build and validate real-world use cases tailored to their business needs.
Participants will benefit from:
- Hands-on application – Design and test AI use cases through guided proof-of-concept development
- Expert guidance – Learn from practitioners with experience in scaling AI across organisations
- Governance and security – Build capabilities in AI governance, data protection and risk management
- Strategic roadmap – Define AI ambition and develop a clear, actionable adoption plan
Financial support for SMEs
The programme fee is $15,000 (before GST), with up to 90% funding available for eligible businesses under the Enhance Training Support for SMEs, supported by SkillsFuture Singapore.
To qualify, companies must meet the following criteria:
- Be registered and incorporated in Singapore
- Have at least 30% local shareholding by Singapore Citizens or PRs
- Have annual sales turnover not exceeding S$100 million or employment size of fewer than 200 employees