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Tamil Murasu,

(Translation)

In this year’s budget, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that efforts would be made to strengthen understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education institutions and within the workforce.

Educators have welcomed these initiatives.

“AI will be a central force in Singapore’s future economic transformation. AI can help prepare university courses and reach students in a more personalized way. At the same time, it can assist in designing curricula that align with industry needs,” said Associate Professor Mohan Rajesh Elara from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

He also said that Budget 2026 enhances the capacity of universities to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Currently, SUTD provides training for SMEs and helps set up AI-driven design facilities within companies. He added that national AI policies would support the expansion of such efforts.

“One of Singapore’s greatest success stories is the support the government provides to universities and companies. Through this, companies can license new technologies tested in universities and bring them to market, co-invest with government funding, and create jobs,” said Professor Mohan.

He also noted that the government’s emphasis on AI is attracting large multinational companies to Singapore, increasing employment opportunities.

“As different ministries implement AI-related initiatives, this will have a major impact on our economy. AI solutions and safety processes strengthened across Singapore can be exported to other countries,” he said.

Innovation is more important than grades

Second-year undergraduate student R. Anieyrudh, 23, who already has broad experience in AI at a young age, has been leading several initiatives at the university’s Design AI FabLab research laboratory.

Last year (2025), he taught junior college teachers and students how to create objects using AI. The AI chatbots he developed—GPTBernie, GPTProf, and SUTD Wiki—assist students in their educational journey.

“Since AI allows us to learn faster, the education system must also change. We are currently exploring the introduction of a course called ‘Special Projects’. In this course, students take on more challenging problems than usual and see whether they can solve them using AI,” said Anieyrudh.

His team is also researching whether students’ abilities can be assessed through personalised methods using AI instead of traditional exams.

“Another idea SUTD is exploring is making AI usage compulsory. That means students must share the questions they asked AI, the responses they received, and their reflections on them,” Anieyrudh added.

“It’s good for students to score good grades. But if I can create a tool that saves $100,000, that’s even better,” he said.

Anieyrudh also welcomed the initiatives announced for companies and the workforce.

“New tax deductions for AI expenses and the benefits that will allow companies to safely test AI innovations are good initiatives. They will encourage companies to use more powerful AI tools,” he said.

“AI is evolving very quickly. Our biggest challenge will be adapting just as quickly,” Anieyrudh concluded.