Singapore has emerged as the leader in a comprehensive study assessing the readiness of Commonwealth countries to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for youth development. The Ayre Index, unveiled at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, ranked Singapore first among 56 nations, scoring 77.6 out of 100. This places the city-state ahead of Malta, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
The study, conducted by the Ayre Think Tank, highlights Singapore’s exceptional digital capability and young people’s confidence in AI, scoring 9.6 out of 10 in these areas. The country’s leadership in AI readiness is expected to significantly boost its economy, with researchers projecting a potential increase in GDP by US$19b over the next decade, potentially reaching US$28.4b in an optimistic scenario.
Despite its top ranking, Singapore has areas for improvement, particularly in employment and enterprise, where it scored 5.7 out of 10. The study also noted a lack of information on how young Singaporeans are practically using AI. Calvin Ayre, founder of the Ayre Think Tank, emphasised the importance of equipping young people with skills to leverage AI for business and employment opportunities.
Singapore is already taking steps to enhance its AI capabilities. In March 2026, the government launched a programme to assist 10,000 businesses in adopting AI and to train 100,000 workers in AI skills. The Education Ministry is also updating AI teaching programmes, set to be implemented nationwide by 2027. These initiatives aim to translate Singapore’s technological strengths into economic growth and job creation for its youth.
