Industry News

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into the daily work routines of Singaporean employees, with 56% using it multiple times a week, according to ADP Research’s People at Work 2026 report. Despite this widespread adoption, only 15% of workers strongly believe AI will positively impact their job responsibilities in the coming year.

The report highlights a disparity in AI usage across different company sizes. Mid-sized companies lead with 34% of employees using AI daily, compared to 19% in both small businesses and large enterprises. This uneven adoption could affect productivity and competitiveness, as noted by Yvonne Teo, Vice President of HR, APAC at ADP, who stated, “The challenge now is scaling its use effectively across organisations of different sizes.”

Jessica Zhang, Senior Vice President of APAC at ADP, emphasised the need for workers to develop skills and familiarity with AI tools to identify where AI can enhance productivity. She remarked, “Adoption alone does not guarantee meaningful workplace impact in Singapore.”

Globally, frequent AI users report higher engagement and lower stress, yet they often feel less productive. Dr. Nela Richardson, ADP’s chief economist, noted, “AI is not only changing how work gets done, but also how people feel at work.”

The findings suggest that whilst AI adoption is high, translating this into tangible job benefits remains a challenge for many organisations. Employers are encouraged to invest in training and set clear performance expectations to help employees work more effectively alongside AI.

Emirates has launched a groundbreaking Comprehensive Travel Cover, becoming the first airline globally to offer such extensive travel insurance. This new product, available from today, provides passengers with conflict-related medical coverage up to $25,000, a complimentary 30-day trip extension, and support during travel disruptions, regardless of government travel advisories.

The insurance, developed in collaboration with Travel Guard, includes benefits such as trip cancellation cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, and unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide. Emirates will also manage hotel stays and rebook passengers on alternative airlines at no extra cost if flights are disrupted, ensuring seamless travel.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, stated: “Listening to customer feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover. Therefore, we acted to address our customers’ needs.”

Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships at Travel Guard, added: “By combining our strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry.”

The Comprehensive Travel Cover is available for purchase on emirates.com and can be added to existing bookings via the ‘Manage Booking’ option. It is accessible in multiple markets, including Singapore, the UK, and the UAE, providing travellers with added confidence and flexibility in their travel plans.

Messe Berlin Asia Pacific has announced the launch of CMS Asia, a new trade exhibition focused on cleaning and environmental solutions, set to take place in Singapore from 8 to 10 June 2027. This event is organised in collaboration with Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) as part of the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG). The partnership will span six biennial editions from 2027 to 2039.

The collaboration aims to address the growing demand for sustainable urban solutions in the Asia Pacific region, which is experiencing rapid urbanisation. CMS Asia and CESG will serve as an integrated platform for business exchange, innovation, and policy dialogue, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, including technology providers, service operators, and policymakers.

Katrina Leung, Managing Director and Vice President Asia Pacific at Messe Berlin, stated, “With CMS Asia, we are creating a dedicated business platform for the industries that support cleaner, healthier, and more resilient cities.” The event will feature a range of industry solutions, from robotic cleaning systems to smart technologies for public infrastructure.

Alexander Lim, Managing Director of CleanEnviro Summit Singapore, emphasised the importance of global collaboration in tackling environmental challenges. “This partnership with Messe Berlin Asia Pacific reinforces that commitment and strengthens CleanEnviro Summit Singapore’s role as a leading regional platform for policy dialogue, industry engagement, and innovation,” he said.

The CMS Asia exhibition will include country and city pavilions, themed areas, and live demonstrations, offering insights into the latest innovations in environmental services. The CESG will continue to provide policy and thought leadership, convening global leaders to discuss sustainable urban management solutions.

Singapore’s October 2026 Build-To-Order (BTO) launches are set to cater to a wide range of housing needs, according to Realion (OrangeTee & ETC) Group. Christine Sun, Chief Researcher and Strategist, noted that the Bedok precinct will see the release of 2,500 new flats, with a significant portion being 2-room flexi flats. This is expected to attract singles due to the convenience of nearby MRT access and recreational facilities at East Coast Park.

In Geylang, the new BTO site is anticipated to meet pent-up demand, being close to Mattar MRT station and various amenities. The last significant launch in this area was Merpati Alcove in October 2024, which saw healthy interest. Prices for the upcoming flats are expected to be similar or slightly higher than previous launches.

Sembawang’s new BTO flats may experience softer demand due to the high number of units already launched this year. However, shorter waiting times and the area’s natural surroundings are likely to appeal to couples seeking a quick move-in.

Tengah’s offering marks the first BTO launch in three years, but the large supply of flats since 2018 may impact its popularity. Nonetheless, proximity to future healthcare facilities and the Jurong Region Line could attract young families.

Toa Payoh is predicted to be a standout in this exercise, with its prime location next to Caldecott MRT station and the upcoming Toa Payoh Integrated Development. Previous projects in the area have seen high application rates, and similar interest is expected this time.

Finally, Yishun’s site, near Khatib MRT station and various schools, is likely to attract those who enjoy outdoor activities, with the added benefit of scenic views over the Lower Seletar Reservoir. The area’s development, including the Chencharu precinct, promises future amenities for residents.

The Alliance Manchester Business School has introduced its inaugural SkillsFuture-listed short course in Singapore, designed to assist professionals in transforming ideas and intellectual property (IP) into business value. The course, titled ‘From Idea to Impact: Leveraging IP in Innovation-Driven Markets’, is set to commence on 23 July 2026 and aims to equip participants with practical skills in identifying, protecting, and commercialising intangible assets.

The three-day programme, offered through Manchester Worldwide Institute of Higher Education (South East Asia), targets Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians (PMETs), business leaders, and entrepreneurs. It focuses on market scanning, patent landscaping, IP portfolio assessment, and commercialisation planning, integrating AI-enabled tools and data-driven methodologies to enhance learning.

Dr. Rex Yeap, an expert with over 30 years of experience in IP strategy and innovation commercialisation, will lead the course. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, case studies, and a capstone project to develop a practical IP commercialisation plan applicable to their organisations. Lim Bee Ing, Regional Director at The University of Manchester Worldwide, South East Asia, stated, “This course helps professionals move beyond IP basics to assess opportunities, apply data, and AI-enabled tools, and develop practical commercialisation plans that can support real business growth.”

Upon completion, attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion from Alliance Manchester Business School and access to its global alumni network. The University plans to expand its SkillsFuture-listed offerings in Singapore, supporting professionals in building future-ready capabilities. Registration is open via the MySkillsFuture portal.

AI workplace platform monday.com has appointed Chris Jordan as Regional Vice President for Southeast Asia and Country Manager for Singapore. This move coincides with the establishment of Singapore as the company’s second Asia-Pacific headquarters, following Sydney. The decision underscores monday.com’s commitment to the region, leveraging Singapore’s status as a leading AI hub.

Jordan, who previously served as Regional Vice President for Slack in Southeast Asia, brings over 20 years of experience in scaling organisations across the Asia-Pacific region. His new role will focus on enterprise growth, partner ecosystem development, and aiding organisations in harnessing AI’s practical applications.

Singapore’s strategic position as a nerve centre for multinational technology firms, coupled with its robust regulatory environment and government support for AI transformation, made it an ideal choice for monday.com’s expansion. The 2026 Singapore Budget further reinforced this commitment by introducing a national AI council and offering tax incentives for AI-related expenditures.

Since establishing its Singapore headquarters in October 2025, monday.com has expanded its regional team to over 30 members and achieved a 23% year-on-year growth in Southeast Asia. The company now serves more than 4,700 customers in the region, as enterprises transition from AI experimentation to large-scale execution.

“Establishing our regional headquarters here is a statement of long-term commitment,” said Chris Jordan. Dean Swan, GM of APJ at monday.com, added, “With a strong team on the ground, we are set up to go deeper with customers and partners across the region.”

Singapore has unveiled its first national research centre, TREASURES, dedicated to advancing residue and toxic industrial waste management. Announced by Dr Janil Puthucheary at Catalyst 2026, the centre is a collaborative effort between the National Environment Agency (NEA), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

TREASURES, supported by S$35m under the Closing The Resource Loop Funding Initiative, will operate from NTU from 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2030. The centre aims to enhance Singapore’s waste management capabilities by fostering innovation and collaboration among academia, industry, and government.

The centre’s research focuses on four key areas: waste flow analytics, landfill transformation, toxic industrial waste solutions, and risk assessment and standards. These efforts are designed to develop sustainable and circular waste management solutions, particularly for the Semakau Landfill, which is projected to reach capacity by 2035.

From 17 June to 17 August 2026, TREASURES will open its first grant call to support projects that offer practical solutions for waste management. This initiative seeks to strengthen collaboration across various sectors and accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies.

Ng Keng Wei from NEA highlighted the centre’s role in co-developing scalable solutions, whilst NTU’s Professor Chu Jian emphasised the importance of research in addressing Singapore’s waste challenges. Professor Karina Gin from NUS expressed the university’s commitment to transforming Semakau Landfill into a hub for circularity, ensuring a sustainable future for Singapore.

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has unveiled its June 2026 Build-To-Order (BTO) sales exercise, featuring seven new projects with a total of 6,952 flats across Bishan, Bukit Merah, Ang Mo Kio, Sembawang, and Woodlands. This marks the second BTO launch of the year, following the release of 9,012 flats in February, bringing the total to 15,964 flats for 2026.

Demand for these BTO flats is anticipated to remain strong, as the market is generally less affected by broader economic fluctuations. Christine Sun, Chief Researcher & Strategist of Realion (OrangeTee & ETC) Group, noted that the ongoing launch of new flats, particularly in prime locations or near MRT stations, is likely to intensify competition in the resale market, potentially stabilising resale price growth.

Among the projects, Bishan’s Lakeview Cascadia is expected to be highly sought after due to its limited supply of new flats and proximity to top schools and an MRT station. Similarly, Bukit Merah’s Berlayer Rise, part of the Greater Southern Waterfront estate, is anticipated to attract significant interest, especially from singles, due to its excellent location and amenities.

In Ang Mo Kio, the Kebun Baru Breeze and Kebun Baru Ridge projects are likely to appeal to families due to their proximity to CHIJ St. Nicholas Primary School and the Mayflower MRT station. Conversely, demand in Sembawang and Woodlands may be more moderate, with Sembawang offering shorter waiting times and Woodlands appealing to families prioritising cross-border accessibility.

Singapore’s workforce is at the forefront of AI adoption, according to Microsoft’s 2026 Work Trend Index. The report reveals that 66% of AI users in Singapore are producing work they could not have created a year ago, surpassing the global average of 58%. This highlights the country’s advanced position in leveraging AI for work-related tasks.

The report also underscores the human-led nature of AI use in Singapore, with 88% of users maintaining responsibility for the thinking process, slightly above the global benchmark of 86%. This responsible approach is complemented by a strong sense of urgency among individuals, with 78% recognising the need to adapt quickly to AI advancements.

Despite this individual momentum, organisational alignment remains a challenge. Only 24% of respondents feel their leadership is aligned on AI, and 48% focus on current goals rather than redesigning work with AI. This presents a significant opportunity for organisations to reinforce systems and leadership to harness AI’s full potential.

Wee Luen Chia, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore, emphasised the need for organisations to support this momentum, stating, “The opportunity now is for organisations to reinforce that momentum with clearer leadership alignment, stronger managerial signals, and operating models designed for reinvention.”

As Singapore ranks second globally in AI diffusion, the next phase involves embedding AI into workflows and decision-making processes. The report suggests that leadership plays a crucial role, with Frontier Professionals benefiting from managers who openly use AI and encourage experimentation.

The findings indicate that Singapore’s workforce is well-positioned to continue leading in AI adoption, provided organisations adapt to support this transformation.

Singapore’s Non-Oil Domestic Exports (NODX) experienced a significant rise in May, marking a 38.4% year-on-year increase, according to UOB Global Economics and Markets Research. This surge surpassed Bloomberg’s median forecast of 30.5% and UOB’s own projection of 36.8%. The growth was primarily fuelled by a remarkable 94.8% year-on-year increase in electronics exports, driven by robust demand for AI-related technologies.

Electronics exports maintained strong momentum, with integrated circuits and disk drives leading the charge. Integrated circuits saw a 12.7% month-on-month rise, whilst disk drives surged by 88.2% month-on-month. In contrast, non-electronics exports grew at a more moderate pace of 17.7% year-on-year, with petrochemicals experiencing a decline due to supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

The divergence between electronics and non-electronics exports is expected to persist, as elevated prices from the Middle East conflict continue to impact non-electronics exports. However, there is optimism for a potential easing of energy prices, with a US-Iran agreement reportedly on the horizon.

Key export destinations such as Taiwan, the US, and South Korea recorded robust growth, with electronics exports exceeding 100% year-on-year in these markets. The sustained demand for AI-related products is anticipated to continue through the third quarter of 2026.

UOB has previously raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast for Singapore to 3.2% and plans to review projections following the May Industrial Production release on 26 June.