Singapore seeks global AI collaboration, rejects zero-sum rivalry

DPM Gan says the country will work with partners to build AI capability and trust.

Singapore is willing to collaborate with any country pursuing artificial intelligence (AI) leadership, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said.

Speaking at a dialogue session on 20 May 2026, Gan said global competition in AI should be viewed as a driver of progress rather than a zero-sum contest, adding that cooperation with other countries could help accelerate capability development.

He said Singapore’s approach is to engage partners seeking to advance AI technologies, including through cross-border arrangements where solutions developed abroad can be assessed against Singapore’s governance and safety standards.

Gan said access to global AI talent will remain essential given Singapore’s limited population base and physical constraints, noting that the country will continue to rely on international expertise alongside domestic talent development.

He added that AI and digital technologies are enabling more cross-border collaboration, allowing firms and governments to work together even when talent is not physically based in Singapore.

On regional cooperation, Gan said ASEAN is progressing towards a Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which could support joint development of AI capabilities and closer collaboration among member states.

He said the next phase of cooperation could involve leveraging each country’s strengths to collectively raise AI capability across the region.

Gan also said companies and workers must adapt to structural changes in employment brought about by AI, noting that workforce anxiety over job disruption is understandable as job roles evolve.

He said the government is working with institutes of higher learning and employers to strengthen internship and traineeship programmes, with the aim of improving work readiness among graduates.

On business continuity risks linked to AI and digital systems, Gan said organisations must plan for operational disruptions, citing historical concerns around electricity outages, financial system failures and pandemic-related supply chain shocks.

He said firms with critical systems should have redundancy plans in place, which could include manual fallback processes or alternative digital systems that can be activated when required.

Gan added that resilience must be balanced with cost considerations, noting that higher levels of system redundancy come with higher operating costs.

He said Singapore is strengthening its overall resilience framework, including energy security measures, while assessing longer-term options such as nuclear readiness as part of its energy strategy review.

Singapore is developing an AI Park in one-north, which will expand on the pilot “Lorong AI” co-working space and function as a cluster for research, collaboration and development of AI applications across business and public services.

Separately, Gan said Singapore’s position as a trusted centre is underpinned by long-term policy consistency, institutional credibility and execution efficiency, which support its attractiveness to investors and businesses.

He added that Singapore’s small size allows it to respond quickly to economic and technological shifts, including regulatory processes and business setup timelines.

Separately, Gan said the government is developing Centres of Excellence to support AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing access to computing resources, expertise and implementation support.

He cited sectoral initiatives such as a manufacturing-focused centre designed to help firms experiment with AI before scaling adoption.

He also said larger companies are encouraged to extend internal AI capabilities across their supply chains to support wider ecosystem development.