AI sentiment remains largely positive in Singapore, reveals the 2025 State of Design & Make report from Autodesk, Inc. The report explores sentiments from leaders across Design and Make industries on managing cost control, embracing emerging technologies, and addressing the talent and skills gaps.
Against economic headwinds, businesses may be viewing AI as a means to enhance their competitiveness. Use cases for AI among Design and Make industries could also include automating resource-intensive tasks, enhancing creativity, and informing critical design decisions with data-backed insights, among others. Recognising AI’s potential to drive growth, many business leaders are now prioritising investment in the technology.
- Nearly three quarters (74%) of Singapore business leaders surveyed say AI will enhance their industry, above the Asia Pacific (APAC) average of 68%.
- Nearly seven in ten (69%) feel that AI will make their industry more creative.
- Three quarters (75%) say their investments in AI will increase, above the APAC average of 68%.
- AI also ranked as the top investment priority among Singapore respondents (72%).
“Our research tells us that over 80% of business leaders in Singapore feel the global landscape is more unpredictable than ever. Cost control and management are now top priorities, likely due to rising business costs. These economic pressures are pushing businesses to eliminate inefficiencies, making digital-led growth through technologies like AI a necessity,” said Haresh Khoobchandani, VP, APAC & Japan, Autodesk.
Overall trust and confidence in AI remain high. These sentiments may be influenced by the Singapore government’s ongoing support for AI, with considerable assistance provided to local businesses through initiatives like the S$150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative, aimed at accelerating enterprise AI adoption. Despite AI’s potential for positive digital transformation, there is also recognition that this will disrupt traditional ways of working, necessitating new skill sets and new ways of working.
- Nearly seven in ten (68%) Singapore business leaders trust AI technologies for their industry
- 76% are confident that their companies will make the right decision when it comes to AI — above the APAC average of 68%.
- More than half (54%) of Singapore business leaders agree that AI will destabilise their industry.
