Singapore accelerates on artificial intelligence and places it at the center of its development strategy. Presenting the 2026 Budget, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong indicated AI as a fundamental pillar of national growth, announcing an allocation of over 1 billion Singapore dollars by 2030 to strengthen the technological ecosystem and dedicated infrastructure.
The objective is clear: to transform the city-state into a global innovation hub, capable of attracting investments, talents and high-tech companies in an increasingly competitive economic context.
National Council and “AI Missions”
The plan involves the creation of a National Council for Artificial Intelligence, which will be chaired by Wong himself, and the launch of the so-called “AI Missions” dedicated to strategic sectors such as healthcare, finance and advanced manufacturing. In these areas, AI will have to become a driver of efficiency, productivity and innovation of services.
Tax incentives and training
Among the most relevant measures are tax deductions of up to 400% for corporate spending on technology and innovation, designed to support especially companies that invest in advanced digital solutions. Alongside this, the government will offer citizens engaged in professional development courses six months of free access to premium AI tools.
The strategy also aims to manage the impact of automation on the labor market, focusing on reskilling and adapting the workforce to new technological scenarios.
Global competitiveness
According to Wong, artificial intelligence represents a decisive lever to guarantee Singapore a lasting competitive advantage. Public investment, combined with incentives for the private sector, aims to create an environment conducive to responsible innovation, capable of combining economic growth, employment and sustainable development.
With Budget 2026, Singapore thus reiterates its ambition to be among the protagonists of the new digital economy, betting on AI as the engine of the future.