National Task Force, Branding Key to Singapore's Global AI Push: Report

Making strategic big bets on high-potential start-ups can also boost chances of success

- Lee Li Ying

Like many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore, software solutions company Elixir Technology is eager to ride the artificial intelligence (AI) wave.

But the SME, which offers a platform for client companies to develop their own smart and digital applications, is struggling to find enough AI talent, and the right kind, too.

"A few years ago, we tried hiring an AI expert, and it was a nightmare because, every few weeks, a company would offer him 30 percent more pay," said Elixir Technology co-founder Lau Shih Hor.

The company's biggest challenge is finding a person who understands how AI can be applied "to the correct use case and the correct target market," he said, adding that not many have such cross-domain expertise.

In mid-May, tech trade association SGTech worked with consulting firm EY to hold closed-door discussions with 40 companies, including Elixir Technology, to gather insights on how Singapore can become a trusted AI hub amid geopolitical uncertainty and tariff risks.

EY's nine-page report identified key bottlenecks in Singapore's AI journey and made 14 recommendations to tackle the challenges.

On the national level, Singapore lacks a global brand for AI—perhaps the equivalent of a Changi Airport for air travel—and does not provide enough funding for startups to make a global impact, said a recent report.