Speech by SMS Low Yen Ling at the launch of the AWS Innovation Hub and AI Springboard Programme

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

Introduction

1. Thank you for inviting me to attend the launch of the AI Springboard programme and AWS Innovation Hub.

2. These are two very important initiatives by AWS that support AI innovation across our Singapore economy. These initiatives will certainly enable companies based in Singapore to harness AI to strengthen their competitiveness, enhance their products and services, and lead to better jobs for Singaporeans.

3. Under our National AI Strategy 2.0, the Singapore Government aims to accelerate the development and deployment of AI across our economy. We have launched a series of initiatives to support companies of different readiness levels on their AI journey. We identified a group of digitally mature companies keen to develop AI solutions. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the programme catering to such companies, the Enterprise Compute Initiative, or in short ECI during the Budget 2025.

4. The ECI targets more ambitious firms ready to push the AI frontier and provides them with targeted support to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Digital Industry Singapore will partner with Cloud Service Providers to deliver programmes under the ECI banner and nurture the next generation of AI Centres of Excellence.

AI Springboard Programme

5. AWS’ AI Springboard Programme is the second ECI initiative we have launched. It aims to support up to 300 Singapore-based businesses over the next year by providing them access to up to $350,000 of dedicated cloud credits and training support. For selected companies, AWS has committed to providing more support, of up to $600,000 of credits, tapping on complementary programmes to support companies on their AI development journey. These companies can also leverage the technical expertise of AWS-certified partners such as PwC, Temus and AiRTS, with a grant of up to $105,000 provided by the Singapore Government. Partners will work with participating companies on developing an AI roadmap, outlining how we can implement use cases and support MVP development and change management.

6. Through the programme, we aim to support participating companies in developing future-ready AI solutions that will transform their businesses.

7. Multiple cohorts of the AI Springboard Programme will be onboarded this year, and I encourage companies to seize this opportunity to partner with AWS and DISG on their AI journey.

AWS Innovation Hub

8. We understand that not all companies are ready to develop and deploy their own AI solutions. We know that when it comes to AI, companies are at different stages of development. The Singapore Government will continue to support the broad base of enterprises through initiatives such as IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital Programme and a refresh of our Industry Digital Plans.

   1. IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital Programme allows companies to explore adopting off-the-shelf AI-enabled solutions through the Productivity Solutions Grant. Concurrently, the Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) are also being updated to include sector-specific AI tools and training. We have done so for the Retail, Security, Built Environment, Legal and Tourism sectors and will continue to update more IDPs this year, such as for the Food Services and Hotel sectors.

9. Through these efforts, we want to accelerate AI adoption in Singapore enterprises, help them understand its benefits, and spur them to pursue various ECI programmes.

10. In addition to the series of government initiatives to accelerate AI adoption, it is also important for our businesses and enterprises to learn from others who have made early investments in AI development.

11. I commend and congratulate AWS on launching the AWS Innovation Hub today. This will amplify our vibrant Singapore innovations and those from the region.

12. The first of its kind globally, the hub will offer business leaders opportunities to learn from success stories and their journey of digital transformation. We look forward to spurring fresh waves of AI development inspired by these advances.

13. Several locally developed innovations are being showcased at this hub. Let me share one such innovation.

    1. Portcast is a local logistics tech startup that aims to help businesses navigate disruptions, optimise shipment planning, and reduce operational costs. One solution being featured is a Generative AI-powered solution that processes documents for freight bill audits. I was told that a Fortune 500 Food & Beverage company that used this solution and reduced freight audit time by 80%. I look forward to learning more about this solution later.

14. Besides featuring success stories from Singapore, the hub will also develop solutions in areas like Generative AI and smart manufacturing. These solutions will address sectoral challenges faced by our businesses and unlock new opportunities for growth.

15. In addition, I am pleased to announce that the hub will support the training of 2,000 professionals every year, in high-demand job areas like AI and Cloud Computing. This will help our workforce stay relevant as we continue to drive an AI-powered economy for Singapore.

Conclusion

16. Congratulations AWS, on your successful launch of the AI Springboard Programme and AWS Innovation Hub. We look forward to our continued cooperation in innovation, enterprise development, and workforce skills development.

17. Thank you.