Singapore – Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural award, which recognizes up to 30 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are leveraging artificial intelligence to transform their businesses.
All winners will receive the SME AI Impact Award trustmark, which increases their credibility and competitiveness in their respective fields.
The awards come amid a national push for workers and businesses to embrace AI. National AI Impact Program Announced in March.
The program aims to help 10,000 local companies incorporate AI into their businesses over the next three years, as well as train approximately 100,000 employees who can use AI to solve problems in their fields.
The AI Awards, jointly organized by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Singapore Business Federation (SBF), aim to: Inspiring small businesses Introducing AI.
There are two categories. One for SMEs that have successfully developed their own AI solutions, and the other for SMEs that have implemented ready-to-use or off-the-shelf AI solutions.
Companies are evaluated based on three criteria.
The first is the impact and added value of AI, which examines the importance of the business challenge and how effectively AI solutions have addressed it.
The second is measurable results. Companies must demonstrate that quantitative outcomes have been achieved, such as increased productivity, financial benefits, and operational improvements.
Finally, the auditor evaluates change management and employee impact. These include how the company has trained its staff, adapted its work processes and positioned itself for deeper adoption of AI in the future.
On-site visits will be conducted to observe and verify the usage of AI within the nominated companies.
To be eligible for this award, companies must be registered in Singapore and have local operations.
They must also have at least 30% local equity, have an annual group turnover of less than $100 million or fewer than 200 employees, and have an AI solution in place for at least six months.
SBF will play an active role in facilitating nominations through its network of industry associations and chambers of commerce, supporting nomination validation, and expanding advocacy and public relations efforts.
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of representatives from IMDA, SBF, and industry partners.
The panel includes IMDA Chief Executive Ng Cher Pong, SBF CEO Kok Ping Soon, Microsoft Singapore Managing Director Chia Wee Luen, Google Singapore Country Managing Director Benjamin Stewart King.
“By recognizing small and medium-sized enterprises that have turned their AI ambitions into real results, this award aims to set a standard of excellence and chart the future direction of AI adoption in the broader small and medium-sized business community,” IMDA said.
“All small businesses are encouraged to share their AI stories and submit nominations to have their impact recognized.”
Nominations can be submitted via IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital platform.
The awards ceremony will be held on October 13, in conjunction with SMEs Go Digital Day 2026 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Straits Times is the official media partner of the awards.
