Microsoft has launched the AI QuickStart programme, a new initiative to help digitally mature enterprises – including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large enterprises – known as Digital Leaders to rapidly deploy practical, enterprise-ready artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and United Overseas Bank (UOB), the programme focuses on accelerating AI deployment in key business areas, including knowledge mining, customer engagement, operations automation, content creation and conversational analytics.

AI QuickStart enables Digital Leaders to deploy real-world AI quickly through enterprise-grade AI solutions to solve their most pressing challenges. Projects will be completed within three months, with costs capped at up to S$20,000 each, including cloud and compute resources, and professional services for solution development and implementation. To streamline the process, a set of curated solutioning services are available for selection, which will then be customised to business needs using proven large language model (LLM)-based architectures with responsible AI guardrails. Eligible enterprises may receive funding support from IMDA and UOB.

Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, officially launched the AI QuickStart programme today, alongside Microsoft, IMDA, UOB, policymakers, industry leaders, ecosystem partners, and industry organisations across sectors.

Microsoft is one of the first technology partners under IMDA’s Generative AI (GenAI) x Digital Leaders initiative to launch this programme, intending to empower Digital Leaders with cutting-edge AI tech to achieve real business impact. The GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative, first launched by IMDA in 2024, has been helping Digital Leaders deepen their understanding of GenAI and providing them with access to expertise and resources to develop and implement GenAI solutions with technology partners.

Johnson Poh, Assistant Chief Executive, Enterprise Transformation and Innovation Group, IMDA, said: “Public-private partnerships are key to helping enterprises scale AI. Our strong partnership with Microsoft has delivered encouraging results by combining IMDA’s understanding of local business needs with Microsoft’s AI capabilities. By deepening our collaboration and expanding access to Microsoft’s network of technology partners, we can further enable our Digital Leaders to develop and deploy AI solutions that are reliable and practical.”

Rachel Bondi, Corporate Vice President, Small and Medium Enterprises and Channel at Microsoft Asia, added: “Small and medium enterprises power Singapore’s economy, and they need AI solutions that are affordable, secure and deliver real results fast. AI turns every small business into a scale business. We are seeing a new wave of frontier SMEs emerging in Singapore – organisations that are using AI not as an experiment, but as a core capability to run leaner operations, serve customers better, and grow with confidence. AI QuickStart removes the biggest barriers – figuring out how to implement, scale and govern safely, while choosing the right tools and managing the cost of trusted tech partners with the support of IMDA. It’s a simple, low-risk way for SMEs to experience the value of AI and accelerate their digital journey.”

Both Microsoft and UOB are recognised as SkillsFuture Queen Bees, industry leaders who champion skills development across Singapore’s business ecosystem, and share a commitment to supporting the transformation of businesses of all sizes.