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- AWS and DISG have launched a S$150M AI Springboard to empower 300 firms in Singapore with cloud and consultancy support.
- Each firm can access up to S$600K in total benefits, including cloud credits and subsidized AI consulting.
- The initiative reflects Singapore’s strategic pivot from AI readiness to full-scale enterprise deployment.
- Through public-private collaboration, Singapore aims to bridge talent gaps and drive productivity in an aging economy.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has joined forces with Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) to launch a S$150 million initiative aimed at accelerating AI adoption across the city-state’s business landscape.
Officially unveiled on Thursday, the AI Springboard program is designed to support 300 Singapore-based companies as they transition from AI exploration to practical implementation.
Each firm enrolled in the program will be eligible for up to S$600,000 in support, combining AWS cloud credits with expert-led consultancy services. A S$350,000 base package is available under the Springboard, while an additional S$250,000 can be accessed through AWS’s complementary programs, such as the Migration Acceleration Program and AWS Lift. Beyond direct AWS support, the Singapore government will co-fund up to 70 percent of consultancy costs, with a maximum cap of S$105,000 per enterprise.
This multifaceted package is intended not just to fund experimentation but to enable companies to fully operationalize AI within their systems. To ensure that firms receive guidance tailored to their specific needs, AWS-approved partners like AiRTS and Temus will work directly with participants to develop AI solutions, establish internal Centers of Excellence, and foster technical know-how that lasts beyond the lifespan of the initiative.
AI Strategy Moves from Readiness to Execution
Singapore’s launch of the AI Springboard reflects a deliberate pivot in its national AI strategy. After years of building foundational readiness, including infrastructure and early-stage pilot projects, the country is now steering its enterprises toward actual deployment of AI tools.
The government anticipates that artificial intelligence could contribute up to S$198.3 billion in economic value by 2030. This bold push, supported by programs like the SkillsFuture Credit top-up for AI upskilling, underlines Singapore’s goal to lead not only in digital maturity but in real-world application.
The AI Springboard arrives as nearly half of Singaporean firms already consider themselves AI-mature. This indicates a growing appetite to move beyond theoretical exploration into use cases that solve real-world problems, from automating back-end operations to building intelligent customer interfaces.
Public-Private Partnerships as a Blueprint for Growth
The collaboration between AWS and DISG represents more than financial support; it showcases Singapore’s broader model for AI ecosystem development. The partnership mirrors earlier initiatives, such as the Kyndryl-Google Cloud AI Innovation Lab, which also relied on a close-knit framework of government support and private sector expertise.
Rather than build capabilities in isolation, the AI Springboard democratizes access to AI by bridging knowledge gaps, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises that lack in-house expertise. This approach ensures even non-tech companies can access world-class infrastructure and training, allowing the benefits of AI to ripple across multiple sectors.
Tackling the Talent Gap While Elevating Productivity
Singapore faces a pressing demographic challenge, with an aging population and a shrinking labor force. AI is increasingly seen not as a job threat but a solution to the country’s productivity ceiling. By automating repetitive tasks and enabling more efficient resource allocation, AI offers a viable path to boost national output without expanding headcount.
At the same time, this strategy is complemented by a concerted effort to upskill workers. With 82 percent of employees expressing interest in AI training and 58 percent already using AI tools at work, the Springboard is arriving at a moment of readiness and enthusiasm among the local workforce.
