EnterpriseSG commits $45m to AI tools for manufacturers

This will give SMEs access to proven tools without having to develop them independently.

Enterprise Singapore has launched Catalytic AI Solutions for the advanced manufacturing sector, committing more than $45m to support the initiative over the next three years.

The initiative aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in deploying enterprise-level artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve productivity, strengthen operations, and address common industry challenges, the group said.

It brings together solution providers, system integrators, and trade associations and chambers to help SMEs access proven, sector-specific solutions without having to develop them independently.

It also includes solutions developed by the Sectoral AI Centre of Excellence for Manufacturing.

The programme addresses barriers to AI adoption, including high development costs, limited access to industry-specific tools, and uncertainty over outcomes.

The suite of AI solutions will cover product and component design, automated processing of requests for quotation, machine optimisation, inspection and quality control, energy management, production scheduling, and predictive maintenance.

These tools are designed to reduce manual work, shorten response times, improve equipment reliability, and optimise resource use, EnterpriseSG said.

The suite will be expanded as further industry needs and solutions emerge.

The initiative is part of Singapore’s National AI Strategy, which aims to accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of AI solutions to address industry challenges at scale.

Enterprise Singapore said it is also developing similar initiatives for the logistics and wholesale trade sectors, with further details to be announced later.