Industry News

Singaporean businesses are at the forefront of shadow AI usage, according to a new survey by ABBYY. The report, titled “State of Intelligent Automation: GenAI Confessions”, highlights the challenges faced by business leaders in implementing generative AI (GenAI) technology. The survey, conducted by Opinium Research, found that 40% of Singaporean business leaders encountered difficulties in training GenAI models and integrating them into business processes. Additionally, 30% cited cost concerns, 28% lacked proper governance, and 25% experienced issues with hallucinations—incorrect information provided by AI.

To address these challenges, many businesses have turned to complementary technologies. The survey revealed that 41% of leaders are using AI agents, 42% are employing process intelligence, 47% are utilising Document AI, and 34% have introduced retrieval augmented generation. These measures have reportedly led to improved trust, accuracy, and cost savings, with 99% of businesses noting better consistency and integration into workflows.

Maxime Vermeir, Senior Director of AI at ABBYY, emphasised the importance of evaluating current processes before adopting GenAI tools. “Businesses are spending money on GenAI tools that promise more than they can provide,” he stated. The survey also uncovered that 26% of Singaporean leaders reported shadow AI usage, where employees independently use AI tools for personal productivity, a figure higher than in the US, UK, and other countries.

The findings suggest a shift towards pragmatic investment in GenAI, with 99% of respondents planning to increase their budgets. This reflects a mature approach to GenAI adoption, focusing on secure and strategic implementation.

Singapore’s services industries, excluding Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, Accommodation, and Food Services, experienced a 5.3% increase in business receipts in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was primarily driven by the Recreation & Personal Services sector, which saw a significant 17.7% rise in revenue, largely due to the gaming segment.

The Information & Communications industry also contributed to the positive trend, registering a 12% increase in receipts. This was mainly attributed to growth in games publishing, data analytics processing, hosting and related activities, and internet search engines. In contrast, the Transportation & Storage industry faced a 7.5% decline in receipts, reflecting reduced earnings from shipping lines and freight transport arrangement services.

The Professional Services industry recorded a 10.4% increase in receipts, with notable growth in advertising and market research, research and development, and architectural and engineering services. Meanwhile, the Health & Social Services industry saw a 4.6% rise in turnover, driven by increased earnings from hospitals.

Despite the overall positive performance, the Administrative & Support Services industry experienced a 1.6% contraction, mainly due to a slowdown in the rental and leasing segment. Quarter-on-quarter, the overall business receipts rose by 0.7%, although some industries, including Information & Communications and Recreation & Personal Services, saw declines.

The Business Receipts Index provides valuable insights into the short-term performance of Singapore’s services industries, guiding business decisions and policy choices.

Singapore-based Precious Medical Group has announced the launch of the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Centre and Hospital in Johor Bahru, a significant $106m (RM500m) investment aimed at enhancing cancer care in Malaysia. The facility, set to open on 5 December 2025, will feature state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, including a PET-CT and radiotherapy centre.

The centre will house Malaysia’s first cyclotron outside the Klang Valley, enabling local production of medical radioisotopes for cancer imaging and therapy. This advancement is expected to improve early detection and treatment availability whilst reducing reliance on distant supply chains. The project is strategically located at Larkin Sentral within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), facilitating cross-border medical collaboration and talent mobility.

The development is projected to create approximately 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to the economic goals of the JS-SEZ. Following the cancer centre’s inauguration, Precious Medical Group plans to develop a 200-bed hospital on the same site, offering comprehensive inpatient oncology and integrated support services.

Named after the late Tunku Abdul Jalil, the fourth child of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, the hospital aims to strengthen Malaysia’s healthcare system, which already attracts over 1.5 million medical tourists annually. This initiative is poised to bolster the international reputation of Malaysia’s healthcare sector, enhancing its capacity and resilience.

BuzzFeed Asia has teamed up with Taboola to launch DeeperDive, a pioneering AI answer engine, across its platforms in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This innovative tool aims to transform the reader experience by providing instant, conversational answers sourced from BuzzFeed’s content and Taboola’s real-time insights.

DeeperDive is designed to increase user engagement by offering smarter, trend-aware responses and encouraging deeper exploration of content. It also opens new revenue streams through contextually relevant advertising embedded within AI-powered results. Unlike traditional AI engines, DeeperDive utilises insights from 600 million daily active users and 9,000 publisher partners, ensuring timely and relevant answers.

Scott Mackenzie, CEO of BuzzFeed Japan & Asia, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to expand BuzzFeed’s on-site functionality for our readers, grow user engagement, and open up new revenue opportunities.” Adam Singolda, CEO and Founder of Taboola, highlighted the innovation, saying, “BuzzFeed Asia is offering content to readers in a completely new, appealing, and innovative way.”

The introduction of DeeperDive is expected to significantly increase readership and engagement by providing clear, intuitive answers and links to relevant articles. This initiative marks a step forward in leveraging AI technology to enhance the digital content landscape, offering publishers a new avenue for growth and monetisation.

Singapore has bolstered its molecular imaging and translational research capabilities with the launch of the Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Centre. This initiative, a collaboration between the National University Hospital and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore, aims to cement Singapore’s leadership in precision medicine across Asia, according to GlobalData.

A standout feature of the centre is Singapore’s first total-body PET/CT system, developed with Siemens Healthineers. This advanced scanner allows for full-body imaging in a single position, offering higher detection sensitivity, shorter scan times, and reduced radiation exposure compared to traditional systems. “Total-body PET/CT provides simultaneous coverage of all major organ systems,” said Nidhi Bharti, a Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData. This capability is particularly beneficial in oncology and chronic inflammatory conditions, where diseases often affect multiple organs.

The centre’s integrated approach, combining clinical services with research, expands opportunities for studying tracer kinetics and evaluating new radiopharmaceuticals. This setup allows researchers to analyse imaging data under routine clinical conditions, enhancing the understanding of real-world performance. Bharti noted, “Access to longitudinal imaging data from whole-body scans allows researchers to detect subtle physiological variations.”

This development aligns with Singapore’s broader precision medicine strategy, complementing national initiatives like the National Precision Medicine Programme. By fostering collaboration between clinicians and researchers, the centre aims to generate robust datasets and contribute to standardised imaging methodologies across Asia.

A recent survey conducted by KPMG, the National Youth Council (NYC), and the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS) reveals that a significant number of youths are seeking support in career planning and skill development. The findings, shared at the Gen2050 Youth Action Forum, indicate that 65% of youths require more guidance in career planning, whilst 58% need assistance with financial planning.

The survey, which gathered responses from 1,000 youths, underscores the importance of communication, adaptability, and analytical skills in the future workforce. Communication and interpersonal skills were identified as crucial by 33% of respondents, followed by adaptability and lifelong learning (32%), and analytical and critical thinking (31%).

The Gen2050 Youth Action Forum, a milestone event under the Gen2050 programme, aims to engage youths in discussions about global developments and their impact on future careers. The forum featured interactive booths and panel dialogues, including insights from Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and the Ministry of Manpower.

The programme, a collaboration between public, private, and people sectors, seeks to empower youths through mentorship and industry insights. “Platforms like Gen2050 connect youths with industry leaders and policymakers,” said David Chua, CEO of NYC. Ross Gan, President of IPRS, added, “It’s encouraging to see youth prioritising communication skills as key competencies.”

The Gen2050 initiative is part of the SG Youth Plan, a five-year action plan to address youths’ aspirations and concerns, aiming to equip them for the future of work.

The World Robot Olympiad (WRO) International Final 2025 commenced on Wednesday at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. This year’s theme, “The Future of Robots,” encourages young innovators to explore how robotics can address global challenges in areas such as sustainability, health, and accessibility. Nearly 600 teams are competing across four categories: RoboMission, RoboSports, Future Innovators, and Future Engineers.

The competition, which concludes on 28 November, has seen a significant rise in participation, with a 14% increase in official teams from 24,577 in 2024 to 27,920 in 2025. This growth reaches 20% when including starter projects aimed at making robotics and STEM education more accessible. Claus Ditlev Christensen, Secretary General of the World Robot Olympiad Association, noted, “Robotics education is about fostering the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.”

Singapore, the birthplace of the WRO, is proud to host the International Final, reinforcing its status as a hub for innovation and STEM education. Lynette Tan, CEO of Space Faculty, the national organiser for the WRO in Singapore, stated, “Seeing the championship return to the birthplace of WRO marks a full-circle moment for us.”

The event also features “Expand Space,” a zone focused on future-oriented ideas and partnerships in space, robotics, and AI. The closing ceremony will announce the winners and the host country for the 2026 WRO International Final.

The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. have announced the launch of the Santen-SERI Open Innovation Centre (SONIC) 2.0, a collaborative initiative to advance disease-modifying therapies for vision-threatening eye diseases. This next-generation research collaboration seeks to combine Santen’s pharmaceutical expertise with SERI’s clinical and translational research capabilities.

Building on the success of their previous collaboration, SONIC 1.0, which was a S$37m partnership from 2017 to 2023, SONIC 2.0 aims to accelerate the development of first-in-class treatments for major eye diseases. The initiative underscores the long-standing strategic partnership between SERI and Santen, which began in 2014.

The official launch event is scheduled for 3 December 2025 at the Singapore National Eye Centre. The programme will include a welcome address by Jodhbir Mehta, Executive Director of SERI, and a presentation by Aung Tin, CEO of the Singapore National Eye Centre and Principal Investigator for SONIC 2.0. Rie Nakajima, Director of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Santen, will also deliver a speech.

The event will culminate in a signing ceremony between SERI and Santen, followed by media interviews with key figures from both organisations. This collaboration is expected to significantly impact the development of innovative treatments for eye diseases, potentially improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

Worldpay’s latest research indicates that nearly half of Singapore consumers are prepared to let artificial intelligence (AI) agents handle their shopping, particularly for finding the best deals. The study, released ahead of Black Friday, forecasts that shopping through AI agents could reach $2.6b (S$3.6b) by 2030 in Singapore. The primary motivation for 75% of respondents is cost savings.

The research highlights that 39% of Singapore consumers are comfortable with AI agents operating under pre-set rules, whilst 12% prefer minimal control. AI agents are expected to become popular shopping companions, learning consumer preferences over time to make independent purchases. Phil Pomford, General Manager, APAC, Worldpay, commented, “Agentic commerce is the next evolution for online shopping. AI agents will play a growing role in guiding customers by offering a personalised service with speed and convenience at its core.”

AI agents are not only considered for everyday items like groceries, with 78% of consumers willing to use them for such purchases, but also for high-demand items like concert tickets. One in five consumers would trust an AI agent to spend up to $620 (SGD850) on tickets, demonstrating confidence in AI’s ability to act quickly and securely.

Despite the growing interest, concerns about fraud remain significant, with 63% of consumers requiring strong safeguards before allowing AI agents to shop on their behalf. Worldpay is working to ensure these new shopping methods are safe and transparent, helping retailers connect with trusted AI platforms.

Grand Hotel Group, a subsidiary of SGX-listed Tuan Sing Holdings Ltd, has unveiled The Langley, a new flagship development in Perth’s riverside precinct. The Langley integrates Residence on Langley Park, 18 Terrace Road, and Shoppe on Langley under a single identity, creating a landmark destination that blends accommodation, hospitality, business, and leisure.

The Langley, managed by Grand Hotel Group, is set to redefine urban experiences in Western Australia. “With The Langley, we are redefining riverside precincts in Perth,” said William Liem, CEO of Tuan Sing Holdings. The development aims to enhance Perth’s appeal as a tourism destination by showcasing the city’s riverside lifestyle.

Residence on Langley Park offers 367 rooms and suites, complemented by leisure facilities such as a heated outdoor pool, sauna, and gym. In early 2025, 51 rooms were converted into serviced flats, with further upgrades planned for 2026, including pickleball courts.

The commercial precinct, 18 Terrace Road, provides 14,800 square metres of office space with panoramic views of Langley Park and the Swan River. It caters to a range of tenants, including corporates, healthcare, and government sectors.

Shoppe on Langley Park, under a 23-metre-high translucent canopy, features a mix of retail, dining, and fitness services, establishing it as East Perth’s vibrant retail hub. The precinct is strategically located near the Perth CBD, offering easy access to major attractions and public transport.

“The Langley is more than a development; it’s a catalyst for Perth’s riverside lifestyle,” Liem added, highlighting its role in supporting business growth and community engagement.