TLDR: Singtel is intensifying its commitment to developing a future-ready workforce by investing S$20 million annually in AI skill-building initiatives. This strategic move aims to equip its employees with essential AI capabilities, fostering innovation and supporting the company’s evolution into a “techco.” Programs like “AI is Easy” and specialized professional conversion accelerators are central to this effort, impacting thousands of employees across the organization, including its data center arm, Nxera.
Singtel, a leading telecommunications and technology company, is making substantial strides in future-proofing its workforce by committing S$20 million annually to enhance its employees’ artificial intelligence (AI) skills. This significant investment underscores the company’s dedication to fostering an agile, digital, and future-ready talent pool, crucial for navigating the evolving digital economy and its strategic pivot from a traditional telco to a “techco.”
The initiative builds upon Singtel’s long-standing commitment to employee development, which has seen considerable investment in training programs over the years. For instance, between 2019 and 2022, Singtel invested S$45 million, benefiting over 2,500 employees through various training efforts that led to a 15% annual increase in learning engagement. The current annual S$20 million allocation is a continuation of this sustained focus on upskilling.
Central to Singtel’s AI skill-building strategy is the “AI is Easy” program, designed to encourage all employees to engage with and understand AI technologies. This program is expected to integrate approximately 3,000 individuals into a new professional conversion accelerator program, preparing them for roles in the AI generation. The company recognizes that a significant portion of its workforce, potentially 50%, will need to re-pivot into new career pathways or acquire new skills to remain relevant in their current roles due to technological advancements.
Group Chief People & Sustainability Officer, Aileen Tan, highlighted the importance of this investment in preparing staff for the AI revolution. She emphasized that employees are provided with continuous learning opportunities, reinforcing Singtel’s proactive approach to talent development.
Beyond general AI literacy, Singtel’s regional data centre arm, Nxera, is also actively involved in specialized AI training. As of July 2025, Nxera has committed to upskilling all its employees in AI operations and sustainability through co-curated data centre courses with five education partners. These efforts are part of a broader plan to train and hire over 500 professionals for data centre-related and digital roles, supporting Singapore’s national AI ambitions and addressing the talent crunch in the rapidly expanding data centre industry.
Also Read:
- Thailand Unveils Ambitious Blueprint to Become Regional AI Powerhouse
- CelcomDigi’s Internal AI Transformation: From Legal Automation to the ‘Sophia’ Digital Employee
Singtel’s Group CEO, Yuen Kuan Moon, previously articulated the company’s vision, stating, “One of Singtel’s top priorities is building an agile, digital and future-ready workforce. This is important because we want to empower all our people to achieve their full potential in the digital economy, and to support our efforts to evolve from a telco to a ‘techco’.” This sentiment continues to drive the company’s comprehensive training initiatives, ensuring its 12,000-strong workforce in Singapore, and its broader regional operations, are well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI era.
