TLDR: A recent survey reveals that over one in five Singaporean businesses have achieved significant cost savings, ranging from 30% to 49%, by implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital twin solutions. This adoption has also led to energy savings of up to 20% and substantial reductions in emissions, signaling a growing trend towards technology-driven sustainability and efficiency in the city-state.
Singaporean businesses are experiencing remarkable financial and environmental benefits through the strategic adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies. A joint survey conducted by Schneider Electric and the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) indicates that more than 20% of businesses in Singapore have reported cost savings between 30% and 49% after integrating these advanced solutions. This widespread adoption is also contributing to significant energy efficiencies, with respondents noting energy savings of up to 20% over the past year, and expectations for further reductions as these technologies become more pervasive.
The survey highlights a notable shift in the perceived barriers to green building adoption. Cost, which was a top concern for 61% of respondents in 2023, has decreased significantly, with only 36% identifying it as a primary concern in 2025. This suggests that the economic benefits of AI and digital twins are making sustainable practices more accessible and appealing. Furthermore, nearly 80% of surveyed organizations have achieved emissions reductions exceeding 10% by integrating energy-efficient systems, renewable energy sources, sustainable building materials, and improved transportation infrastructure.
Projections from the survey paint an optimistic picture for future savings. While most businesses anticipate up to 20% in cost savings over the next year, many expect savings of 21-29% over a two-year period, and the most substantial reductions, up to 49%, are projected over a five-year horizon. Beyond financial and environmental gains, the study also points to evolving motivations for sustainability decisions, with employee expectations and regulatory requirements gaining prominence. The proportion of businesses citing employee-driven sustainability rose from 3% in 2023 to 8% this year, while regulatory expectations increased from 2% to 10%, particularly in light of Singapore’s new Mandatory Energy Improvement regime for energy-intensive buildings.
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- NCS Commits S$130 Million to Propel AI Transformation Across Asia Pacific
In a related development, home-grown tech services firm NCS announced on July 10, 2025, an investment of $130 million over the next three years. This substantial commitment is aimed at developing AI intellectual property, piloting sector-specific AI projects, and comprehensively training its 13,000-strong workforce. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, speaking at NCS Impact 2025, emphasized the critical need to institutionalize AI use across all companies, regardless of size. He noted that while AI adoption has more than doubled among large enterprises in Singapore—from approximately 17% in 2018 to 44% in 2023—uptake among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been slower, increasing from 3.5% to 4.2% over the same period. Mr. Gan highlighted NCS’s role in helping smaller firms leverage AI, not just through solutions but also by co-developing use cases, redesigning workflows, and transforming business models. Singapore’s commitment to fostering an AI-ready business ecosystem is further underscored by the Budget 2025 measure, which allocates up to $150 million to support tailored AI solutions, aiming to reduce investment costs and lower barriers to entry for companies.
