TLDR: Singapore has been ranked second globally in AI readiness, according to Salesforce’s Global AI Readiness Index. The nation excels in governance and AI adoption, leading all Asia-Pacific countries.
Singapore has achieved a remarkable second-place ranking globally in Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness, as revealed by Salesforce’s newly released Global AI Readiness Index. This significant accomplishment places Singapore at the forefront of AI preparedness within the Asia-Pacific region, a position it has consistently held, having also led in the 2021 and 2023 editions of Salesforce’s Asia Pacific AI Readiness Index. The comprehensive report evaluates 16 global markets across five critical dimensions: governance, diffusion, innovation, investment, and talent.
Singapore’s exceptional performance is particularly evident in its regulatory frameworks and AI adoption. The nation scored an impressive 9.8 in governance, the highest among all surveyed countries. This strong showing is attributed to robust instruments such as the Model AI Governance Framework and the National AI Strategy 2.0. In terms of AI adoption, Singapore achieved a score of 8.0, driven by its proactive Smart Nation initiatives and the seamless integration of AI into vital sectors like urban planning, transport, and public services.
The investment environment in Singapore also stands out, with the country ranking second globally and scoring 2.3, surpassing the global average. While trailing the United States in this dimension, Singapore’s commitment to fostering a conducive investment climate for AI is clear. Furthermore, the nation demonstrates strong capabilities in human capital development, securing the third global rank with a score of 5.8. This is bolstered by a national upskilling strategy and a dedicated emphasis on AI training, contributing to a growing pool of skilled talent, though it still aims to catch up with leaders like Germany and the United States.
Despite its high marks in most areas, the report noted that Singapore’s innovation landscape, while supported by enabling conditions, remains relatively concentrated. The country scored 0.7 in innovation capacity, which is below the global average of 1.7. This indicates an area for further growth, particularly in expanding beyond existing innovation hubs into emerging subfields such as agentic AI, which is seen as the next frontier for productivity gains.
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This recognition reinforces Singapore’s longstanding leadership in artificial intelligence and underscores the effectiveness of its national strategy in laying the groundwork for the next phase of AI transformation, including the development of agentic AI systems. The city-state’s high scores, especially in AI governance and diffusion, highlight its success in fostering an enabling ecosystem through strong public-private collaboration and proactive policymaking.
