SINGAPORE – As many as 300 local firms will each receive up to $600,000 in benefits under a new programme by Amazon’s cloud arm to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
Called AI Springboard, the initiative by Amazon Web Services (AWS) will provide a baseline of $350,000 in dedicated cloud credits and training resources, with the remaining value made up of additional cloud credits from existing AWS programmes. These credits allow firms to trial and potentially adopt cloud tools.
The funding is on top of a government grant of up to $105,000 per enterprise for consultancy services supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) – the government arm driving the programme, which is the second to take wing under the $150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) announced in the 2025 Budget.
The ECI supports firms by pairing them with major cloud providers to access AI tools, computing power and expert consultancy.
To tap AI Springboard, companies must be registered or incorporated in Singapore and meet ECI eligibility criteria, such as having experience developing a custom AI solution for a proof-of-concept.
The programme was announced on June 26 at the launch of AWS’ 8,000-sq-ft Innovation Hub in Shenton Way – its first such facility globally – where enterprises can explore AI tools and work with AWS experts to develop and deploy AI solutions.
Among the tools being showcased are a mini bike manufacturing line by AWS that demonstrates how companies can use AI and sensors to solve common production issues, and an AI-powered tool by ST Engineering that helps detect deepfakes, false information and harmful online content.
AWS declined to disclose the cost of the hub, but said it is a “multimillion-dollar” investment on top of its previously announced US$9 billion (S$11.47 billion) commitment to Singapore’s cloud infrastructure by 2028.
It said that it plans to engage more than 1,000 C-suite leaders and business decision-makers at the hub, offer 200 tertiary students an exclusive AI learning experience and support the training of 2,000 professionals in high-demand jobs like AI and cloud computing every year.
At the launch ceremony for AI Springboard and the new Innovation Hub, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said the Government is aiming to accelerate the development and deployment of AI across Singapore’s economy.
“Through the (AI Springboard) programme, we aim to support participating companies in developing future-ready AI solutions that will transform their businesses,” she said.
“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.”
According to AWS, the $600,000 cloud credits and training support may be disbursed either in tranches or as a lump sum, depending on the scope and scale of each company’s project.
The Government’s grant of up to $105,000 will be awarded once the company and AWS successfully develop and pilot at least one minimum viable product for the firm’s AI use case.
AWS Singapore country manager Priscilla Chong said AI Springboard brings together the firm’s cloud and AI tools, technical expertise and training support to help local enterprises turn their ideas into real-world applications.
She said the decision to base its first Innovation Hub here reflects the company’s confidence in the Republic as a key centre for innovation and technological experimentation.
“From one highly connected city state, we can reach more than three billion people across Asia-Pacific and Japan, tap a deep pool of world-class tech talent, work with a government that consistently backs digital growth, and enable customers across industries to move faster with the confidence that Singapore’s ecosystem provides.”
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