Singapore’s small and medium businesses (SMBs) are demonstrating resilience and agility, leveraging technology and human networks to compete with larger enterprises, according to LinkedIn’s latest Work Change Report. The report highlights that whilst SMBs are excelling in brand building and network growth, they risk falling behind in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. Only 26% of professionals use AI for advanced tasks, and fewer than half apply it daily, indicating a significant opportunity for growth in AI literacy.
The report reveals that SMB employees are expanding their networks by 11% year-over-year, compared to 9% for larger firms. This strategic networking is seen as a key driver of growth, helping generate leads and inform hiring decisions. “Small businesses in Singapore are in growth mode and AI can be their ultimate force multiplier in 2026,” said Elsie Ng, Director, LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Singapore and Malaysia.
Despite the potential of AI to level the playing field, many SMB employees remain unsure which AI skills to prioritise. The demand for hands-on learning is evident, with employees seeking real-life projects and virtual training. Meanwhile, brand authenticity remains a priority, with 76.6% of SMBs emphasising human voices in content creation, compared to 60% for larger companies.
