Singapore is launching a major effort to prepare its workforce for the AI era by training 40,000 tech professionals in advanced AI skills by 2029. The initiative, called AIxTech, is led by the Infocomm Media Development Authority and AI Singapore.
The programme will train software engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and students to use AI tools for automating coding, improving AI systems, and building “agentic” AI systems that can perform complex tasks independently. Participants will also gain hands-on experience with tools such as Claude, Codex, GitHub Copilot, and Gemini.
The initiative reflects Singapore’s view that AI will fundamentally reshape the tech industry. Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How warned that companies relying heavily on manpower-based business models may struggle as AI agents become faster, cheaper, and more capable of handling engineering work.
Beyond the tech sector, the government also aims to create 100,000 “AI-bilingual” workers in industries such as healthcare, law, and finance, so professionals can combine domain expertise with AI skills.
The programme includes online learning, mentorship, and AI tool credits, and has already attracted interest from major companies including ST Engineering, NCS, OCBC, and Standard Chartered.
Koh, S. (2026, May 8). 40,000 tech workers to receive AI training to automate coding, build agentic systems by 2029. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/40000-tech-workers-to-receive-ai-training-to-automate-coding-build-agentic-systems-by-2029