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National convening identifies priorities for moving SMEs from AI awareness to implementation, alongside a new industry-education collaboration
SINGAPORE, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackStorm Group, through its AI ecosystem platform Project Asia Data, convened policymakers, business leaders, educational institutions, industry associations, technology providers and ecosystem partners at AIM ASEAN Singapore 2026: National Policy Convening and Flagship Forum. Organised by Project Asia Data and Singapore Polytechnic (SP), the event explored how SMEs can move from AI awareness and experimentation towards practical implementation and measurable business impact.
Bringing together stakeholders from across the public, private and education sectors at the Singapore Polytechnic Convention Centre, the event provided a platform to exchange perspectives on the capabilities, resources and partnerships needed to support responsible and sustainable AI adoption.
The invitation-only National Policy Convening focused on two key challenges: closing the gap between AI awareness and fluency, and developing "AI-bilingual" talent who can connect business needs with the possibilities and limitations of AI.
Participants examined the barriers SMEs commonly face, including uncertainty over where to begin, difficulty identifying high-value use cases, limited internal capabilities, affordability concerns and access to trusted implementation support. The discussions also considered how government agencies, educational institutions, business associations, technology providers, and ecosystem organisations can work together to create clearer pathways from capability building to adoption.
Three priorities for SME AI adoption
Speakers and participants identified three priorities for helping SMEs adopt AI more effectively:
- Start with business outcomes – SMEs should focus on clearly defined business problems and measurable outcomes, using AI where it can improve productivity, reduce manual work, support better decisions or create new growth opportunities.
- Build people and organisational capability – AI adoption needs to go hand in hand with workforce development. Employees need practical AI skills, confidence and the ability to combine domain expertise with AI in their daily work.
- Strengthen the SME AI ecosystem – SMEs need access to practical guidance, trusted partners, relevant training and peer networks to help them move from experimentation to implementation responsibly and sustainably.
Together, these priorities highlighted that successful AI adoption should not be treated solely as a technology project. It also requires leadership commitment, appropriate workforce capabilities, redesigned workflows, responsible governance and continued access to relevant support.
Insights from the National Policy Convening were shared during the afternoon Flagship Forum, which featured an AIM ASEAN Executive AI Masterclass, a panel on the skills, tools, trust and implementation support required by MSMEs, and an AI Ecosystem Showcase connecting businesses with relevant programmes, solutions and partners.
"AIM ASEAN Singapore 2026 connects ecosystem-level discussions with the practical needs of businesses," said Ms Jeslin Bay, Group CEO of BlackStorm Group. "We have trained more than 1,500 MSMEs to date and aim to reach 3,000 within two years. SMEs need more than awareness or familiarity with AI tools—they need relevant capabilities, trusted partners and clearer pathways to translate AI into meaningful business outcomes."
BlackStorm Group and Singapore Polytechnic sign MOU
During the event, BlackStorm Group and Singapore Polytechnic signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration in skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and industry engagement.
Potential areas include joint learning programmes, access to entrepreneurs and mentors, industry opportunities for students and alumni, technology commercialisation and connections for businesses seeking innovation support or growth opportunities beyond Singapore.
"AI is changing how businesses operate, and helping our students and alumni keep pace with that shift is central to what we do. This MOU gives us a direct link to BlackStorm Group's network of entrepreneurs, mentors and industry partners, so our applied learning stays grounded in what businesses actually need. We are looking forward to turning that partnership into real opportunities for our students, alumni and the wider business community," said Ms Tan Yen Yen, Deputy Principal (Development), Singapore Polytechnic.
Extending support through FutureVillage
BlackStorm Group also introduced FutureVillage, an ecosystem initiative designed to help businesses and individuals navigate the changing future of work and business.
Built around entrepreneurship, leadership and artificial intelligence, FutureVillage will connect businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals with knowledge, AI resources, experienced talent, mentors, industry networks and regional opportunities. The aim is to extend access to learning and support beyond individual programmes and events.
FutureVillage is guided by a simple principle: the future is not built alone. It takes a village.
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About AIM ASEAN
AIM ASEAN is a two-year regional initiative by the ASEAN Foundation, under the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia Pacific, in collaboration with AVPN and supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank. It aims to empower more than 100,000 MSMEs. Through practical, localised AI training, AIM ASEAN helps small business owners use digital tools to improve operations, expand markets, and build resilience. The programme also brings together policymakers and experts to strengthen the ecosystem that enables MSMEs to thrive in the digital age.
About BlackStorm Group
BlackStorm Group is a Singapore-based business advisory and ecosystem-building group that helps companies grow and enter Southeast Asia markets with clarity and speed. Its ecosystem includes BlackStorm Consulting, which supports strategy and market entry across Southeast Asia; Project Asia Data, which drives practical AI adoption and training for businesses; and STARTUPVILLAGE, a platform connecting founders and professionals through community and learning across Asia.
BlackStorm Group is also developing FutureVillage, a broader ecosystem connecting entrepreneurship, leadership, talent and artificial intelligence to support businesses and individuals navigating the future of work and business.
For more information, visit https://blackstormco.asia/. Follow BlackStorm Group on Facebook and LinkedIn @BlackStorm Group.
About Singapore Polytechnic
Established in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is Singapore's first polytechnic and a polytechnic for all ages. Today, more than 12,800 students across 10 schools pursue 30 full-time diploma courses and four common entry programmes in fields such as engineering, business, computing, health sciences, media and design, and maritime studies.
SP brings industry into the heart of learning. As the regional leader of the global CDIO movement, SP embeds real-world problem-solving across all disciplines, preparing graduates to contribute from day one. Its 13 consultancy and technology innovation centres partner enterprises on applied solutions, while the SP Company and Workforce Transformation (CWT) framework helps organisations build future-ready capabilities.
Through the Professional & Adult Continuing Education (PACE) Academy, SP offers more than 500 industry-aligned courses, including part-time diplomas, Work-Study Programmes and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes, enabling professionals to upskill and reskill throughout their careers.
SP's 246,000-strong alumni network includes entrepreneurs, business leaders, public-sector leaders and professionals across industries. Its commitment to education, service and sustainability has earned national and regional recognition, including the President's Award for the Environment, the President's Social Service Award, the ASEAN People's Award and the President's Award for Teachers.
Guided by its vision of a caring community of inspired learners committed to serving with mastery, SP prepares graduates to be life-ready, work-ready and world-ready.
For more information, visit www.sp.edu.sg. Follow SP on Facebook and YouTube @SingaporePolytechnic, on Instagram and TikTok @SingaporePoly, and on LinkedIn.
Media Enquiries:
For interview requests, event coverage, or additional information about the AIM ASEAN Singapore 2026: National Convening and Flagship Forum, please contact:
BlackStorm Group
- https://blackstormco.asia/
- More information about the event: https://projectasiadata.com/aim-asean-flagship/
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