Microsoft has introduced new sklling initiatives with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and NTUC LearningHub to advance AI capabilities for businesses and employees through new skilling initiatives.
The collaboration with SSG will benefit 2,000 SMEs over three years. It will deliver practical programmes to equip SMEs with the expertise needed to harness AI solutions, enabling them to transform, seize new opportunities and be future-ready in today’s dynamic business environment.
“We are very encouraged to see Microsoft stepping up to help equip our companies and workers with deeper skills in AI. It takes a twin commitment by industry and government to the SkillsFuture movement, to give Singapore workers the competence and confidence to adapt to change and to seize new opportunities,” said Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive of SSG.
Microsoft will partner the Institute for Adult Learning to innovate and incorporate AI into adult education approaches. They will co-develop and test new AI tools and methodologies to enhance the learning experiences of adult learners.
The initiative with NTUC LearningHub involves upskilling NTUC members with fundamental and essential knowledge and skills in AI. Together, Microsoft and NTUC LearningHub will train up to 100,000 NTUC members in such AI skills to enhance their AI literacy understanding and ensure that they are ready for the changing workforce.
“Through this partnership, we have developed a series of digital and in-person training programmes to drive AI knowledge and how it can be applied at the workplace. We are committed to ensuring that our members are ready for the future of work and to building a resilient workforce capable of harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for both professional and personal growth,” said Jeremy Ong, Chief Executive Officer of NTUC LearningHub.
Accelerating AI adoption in SMEs
Microsoft will collaborate with Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), AI Singapore and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate AI adoption.
The partners will curate industry collaboration events to uncover and scale impactful sectoral use cases of generative AI. This partnership also features co-development of resources to equip SME leaders to handle change management and redesign business workflows, as well as explore deeper and more customised AI use cases for their businesses in the longer term.
Through these efforts, SMEs will be able to scale the benefits of AI and improve their productivity and operations. Microsoft will further partner with IMDA to support digitally mature SMEs in accessing expertise and resources to implement generative AI solutions.
“AI has significant potential to enhance employee productivity and business workflows, and solutions like Microsoft Copilot can be an easy way for our SMEs to get started. Copilot will enable SME employees to streamline work processes and augment their tasks to free up time for higher-value work,” said Soh Leng Wan, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Manufacturing & Engineering at EnterpriseSG.
Creating real-world AI solutions
Microsoft has also launched the Microsoft AI Pinnacle Program with five pioneering organisations – Certis, HTX, Mediacorp, Seatrium, and Synapxe – to create real-world AI solutions for organisations and key industry sectors.
The Microsoft AI Pinnacle Program aims to enable organisations in Singapore to realise scalable, impactful AI-powered solutions that will have transformative impact on their businesses and sectors.
The programme will facilitate co-creation and co-innovation of AI use cases and foster an AI-first culture and ecosystem. Through this, it aims to inspire new ways of work and support organisations in building capabilities to tap opportunities in the era of AI.
“By partnering with leading organisations under the Microsoft AI Pinnacle Program, we will co-innovate meaningful and impactful AI solutions and establish AI Centre of Capabilities for their respective organisations and sectors,” said Lee Hui Li, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore.
Entelechy Asia 