Singapore to train 2,000 professionals for future AI jobs

About 12,000 Singaporeans, including 2,000 executives, will be trained over the next three years in various artificial intelligence (AI) skills to prepare them for future job opportunities.

The training will be run under the two new nationwide initiatives to be developed by AI Singapore.

The initiatives were announced by Minister for Communication and Information S. Iswaran recently during an event commemorating AI Singapore’s (AISG) first anniversary.

The first initiative, AI for Industry (AI4I), aims to reach out to 2,000 professionals with basic AI competency to enhance their competitiveness in a digital economy. Through this programme, participants will learn to apply AI technologies to increase their productivity and their firms’ competitiveness.

AI4I is supported by IMDA, Microsoft and Intel, together with DataCamp, a leading online learning platform for Data Science and AI.

It will be run as a three month online-offline hybrid curriculum developed by AISG, and its sponsors and content partners, for working professionals and students.

The programme aims for participants to understand and use AI appropriately, and be able to develop basic AI and data applications using Python.

Upon completion, participants will each receive a ‘Foundations in AI’ certification. Programme fees for AI4I will be subsidised by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

“With everything around us getting smarter and connected, AI is finding its way in our daily tasks without us even realizing it. To accelerate its application in solving the world’s biggest challenges, we need people with the right technical skills,” said Santhosh Viswanathan, Managing Director, Intel, Asia Pacific and Japan.

“Intel is excited to be a part of this AI-focused initiative and lend our expertise to participants in taking advantage of this next leap in technology,” he added.

“AI has the potential to catalyse change. In an increasingly digital world, it is imperative that everyone is AI-ready so that they can benefit from the immense potential of AI,” said Professor Ho Teck Hua, Executive Chairman of AI Singapore.

Bringing AI to the masses

The other initiative, AI for Everyone (AI4E), aims to reach out to 10,000 people in Singapore ranging from secondary school students to working adults.

The programme will introduce them to AI technology and how it can be used to improve the way one lives, works and plays.

Participants will learn to identify opportunities enabled through AI technologies, thus allowing them to be more savvy consumers of AI products and services.

AI4E is co-supported by IMDA and technology giant, Microsoft. The latter is also a content provider in the programme, along with Intel.

The programme will be conducted by AISG for free. AISG, through its community and partners including IMDA, People’s Association and NTUC U-Associates, will reach out to engage 10,000 people for the programme. AISG will also work with educational institutions to conduct similar workshops at their premises.

“Our collaboration through AI4E will allow us to further our aspiration to enable future-ready talents in Singapore, so that everyone can benefit from the promise of AI,” said Kevin Wo, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore.