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Singapore’s Budget 2026 to boost AI support for workers
Singapore’s Budget 2026 includes plans to expand AI support for workers, with the government offering six months of free access to premium AI tools for those taking selected training courses.
Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, also prime minister, said that while basic AI tools are free, access to advanced versions requires a paid subscription, which can help workers practice and apply their skills.
The SkillsFuture website will be redesigned to improve navigation and help users find relevant courses more easily, matching their work needs and proficiency levels.
The government also plans to support workers in developing practical AI skills, starting with the accountancy and legal sectors and expanding to other fields.
Further details on these initiatives will be announced by various ministries, including Digital Development, Education, Manpower, and Trade and Industry, during their respective budget debates.
🔗 Source: The Business Times
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
A national strategy links worker training and business incentives
- A broader national strategy includes a new National AI Council, chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, to set strategic direction 1.
- Financial support encourages firms to adopt AI, alongside training for workers.
- Companies can claim 400% tax deductions on qualifying AI spending, capped at $50,000 per Year of Assessment, for Years of Assessment 2027 and 2028 2.
- The “Champions of AI” programme will offer tailored help for firms pursuing wide-ranging change. The Productivity Solutions Grant will also expand to cover more digital tools that use AI 2.
The policy spreads practical AI skills across non-tech professions
- The initiative pushes AI skills into the wider workforce, not only tech roles.
- Singapore will expand the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme. It will add AI training for non-tech and cross-sectoral jobs, starting with accountancy and legal work, then extending to other fields 3.
- SkillsFuture Singapore lists “Prompt Design” as an in-demand skill, based on its analysis of job postings and related indicators 4.
- Singapore aims for AI to take over routine tasks so workers can focus on higher-value work that needs judgment, creativity and human insight 3.
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