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In a bid to foster local proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI), AI Singapore (AISG) in partnership with the Infocomm media authority of Singapore (IMDA) has launched two programmes, AI for Everyone (AI4E) and AI for Industry (AI4I).
AI proficiency is crucial for Singapore future and to realise its smart nation vision with many countries now engaging in an AI arms race.
An Accenture study, commissioned in 2017, found that Singapore could increase its growth rate from 3.2 per cent to 5.4 per cent by 2035 through the adoption of AI, adding an additional US$215 billion in gross value to the local economy.
Furthermore, AI adoption at a national level would also have the effect of raising local productivity by 41 per cent by 2035, the highest among developed economies.
In all 12,000 local residents are set to benefit from these initiatives, which were announced as AI Singapore celebrated its first anniversary.
These programmes will form part of Singapore’s TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) that aims to enhance training and placement opportunities for ICT jobs across the local economy, by facilitating the reskilling or upskilling of individuals to meet industry needs.
As part of the AI4E programme, anyone from secondary school students to working adults is set to benefit, which will help familiarise them with what AI is and how it can benefit them in their everyday environment, directly benefiting 10,000 Singapore residents.
"AI has the potential to catalyse change,” said Professor Ho Teck Hua, executive chairman of AI Singapore. “In an increasingly digital world, it is imperative that everyone is AI-ready so that they can benefit from the immense potential of AI.
AI has been identified as one of the four emerging technologies to drive the digital economy and transform the way people live and work in Singapore.
"AI has the potential to transform our businesses and workplaces,” added Tan Kiat How, CEO of IMDA. “IMDA is committed to ensuring that our businesses and workers can effectively use AI to be more competitive.
"IMDA will partner industry players such as AI Singapore, Microsoft, Intel and DataCamp to bring AI to the community and the workforce. Singaporeans will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits AI can bring to our daily lives.
"Our workers can also learn to harness AI in their workplace to enhance productivity and realise new possibilities."
