Synopsis
Singapore plans to upskill 40,000 tech professionals by 2029 under its National AI program, aiming to build AI fluency for roles like coding automation and agentic systems. The initiative includes training modules, industry tools, and partnerships to prepare workers for AI-driven tech jobs.
Singapore is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence education as the Government sets an ambitious target of equipping 40,000 tech professionals with advanced AI capabilities by 2029. The initiative, led by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), focuses on preparing workers to use AI for automating code-writing, improving debugging processes, and developing agentic systems that can independently execute complex digital tasks. It reflects Singapore’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global hub for AI workforce development amid rapid technological transformation.
The plan sits under the National AI Impact Program, which aims not only to upskill tech professionals but also to create 100,000 AI-bilingual workers across non-technical fields such as accounting, law, and healthcare. This signals a major shift in Singapore’s education and training landscape, where AI literacy is becoming essential across professions rather than limited to engineers and programers. For students in polytechnics, universities, and the Institute of Technical Education, this creates a pathway where digital fluency is increasingly tied to career readiness.
On May 8, IMDA officially launched the first program under this initiative, named AIxTech, in collaboration with AI Singapore, leading technology companies, government agencies, Centres of Excellence, and institutes of higher learning. The program is designed to integrate AI fluency training into real-world applications such as software development, cybersecurity operations, and enterprise system design. It also reflects a coordinated effort between industry and education providers to ensure that learning outcomes match evolving labor market demands.
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Participants in AIxTech training programs will learn how to use advanced AI tools to automate coding, generate test cases, and curate datasets that improve the accuracy of large language models. They will also gain hands-on experience in building intelligent systems capable of managing complex workflows without constant human supervision. Learners will be given access to tools such as Anthropic’s Claude, OpenAI’s Codex, GitHub Copilot, and Google’s Gemini, which are increasingly shaping modern software engineering practices.
Speaking at the Tech Leader Awards 2026, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Mr Tan Kiat How highlighted how AI is reshaping the economics of work and education. “Companies that can deliver that, with AI augmenting their teams rather than replacing their value, will be in a stronger position”, he says at the Tech Leader Awards 2026 held on May 8 at Shangri-La Singapore. His remarks underscore Singapore’s belief that future competitiveness will depend on how effectively AI-enabled education systems prepare workers to collaborate with intelligent machines.
The program structure includes an 18-hour self-paced online learning module followed by a second phase offering $600 in credits for AI tools, advanced training materials, and mentorship from experienced practitioners. Companies participating in the scheme will pay $180 per Singapore citizen or permanent resident tech worker, while students can access it for free. Through initiatives like digital skills transformation in Singapore, the country is positioning itself as a leader in preparing both its workforce and education system for an AI-driven economy.
