{
  "id": 14185648,
  "title": "More support for SMEs to adopt AI with new industry tie-ups, curated list of over 100 tools",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/more-support-for-smes-to-adopt-ai-with-new-industry-tie-ups-curated",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-13T11:22:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/more-support-for-smes-to-adopt-ai-with-new-industry-tie-ups-curated-list-of-over-100-tools"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Singapore government is taking steps to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, recognizing the growing importance of these technologies for these businesses. On October 13, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced three new industry partnerships aimed at supporting SMEs in implementing AI tools. The government has also expanded its pre-approved suite of AI solutions for SMEs and curated a list of over 100 credible global AI tools, covering various business functions such as customer relations, creative content generation, workplace collaboration, and finance.\n\nMinister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo highlighted that smaller companies have traditionally faced challenges in adopting AI due to limited manpower, expertise, and resources. However, AI-enabled solutions now present opportunities for SMEs to compete with larger firms. Adoption of AI solutions supported by government funding has grown by 20% from 2025 to 2026. At the annual SMEs Go Digital Day, 30 firms were recognized for their practical use of AI and measurable outcomes.\n\nTo address the challenges SMEs face in managing and utilizing AI, a new tie-up between IMDA and Singtel Stack-EZ will provide up to 10,000 SMEs with six months of free access to an AI-powered data management platform. This platform can automatically classify and organize business documents, enabling instant search and retrieval, as well as data exportation for accounting, human resources, and other purposes.\n\nIMDA's partnerships with Beyondsoft and Salesforce will help up to 1,000 SMEs gain access to AI solutions proven in other markets, such as China, and support them in implementing AI-driven workflows. The list of 100 curated AI tools, available on the SMEs Go Digital platform, will help SMEs navigate the crowded marketplace and select solutions that best meet their needs. The government will continually update this list as new tools emerge and gain validation.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Singapore government announces 3 industry partnerships to support SMEs in adopting AI",
    "Expanded pre-approved suite of AI solutions for SMEs",
    "Curated list of over 100 global AI tools available for SMEs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}