Salesforce announced the launch of the Data + AI Boost SME Program today, designed to equip 5,000 SMEs in Singapore with the tools and knowledge to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) by unlocking the value of their data.
The new program, launched in partnership with IMDA, was introduced at Asia Tech x Enterprise 2024. It forms part of a series of partner pledges supporting the Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB) initiated by the Ministry of Communications and Information. The DEB aims to empower Singaporean enterprises and their workers through four key focus areas:
- Empower enterprises to be smarter by adopting AI-enabled solutions.
- Enable enterprises to scale faster through integrated digital solutions.
- Equip enterprises to be safer by improving cyber resilience.
- Upskill workers to maximize digital capabilities.
Supporting Digital Transformation
The Salesforce initiative aims to support enterprises and workers in adopting digital technologies like AI, securing a competitive edge, and equipping the workforce with necessary skills. In collaboration with IMDA, Salesforce will bring this program to 5,000 SMEs in Singapore.
The Singapore Business Federation’s National Business Survey 2023/2024 revealed that SMEs see emerging technologies like AI as a top business trend affecting operations. They identified growing revenue as a top priority.
AI offers significant opportunities for SMEs to drive operational efficiency, improve customer service, and increase revenue. However, its effectiveness hinges on the quality and integration of underlying data. Salesforce’s recent AI Trust Quotient research highlighted the importance of data, revealing that 61% of Singaporean workers believe incomplete data undermines trust in AI. Among those who don’t trust AI, 70% cited a lack of necessary data.
Salesforce’s Data + AI Boost SME Program aims to help SMEs utilize their often-underused data assets, typically disconnected across multiple systems like CRM systems, data lakes, and legacy systems.
The program includes individual consultation sessions to support SMEs in identifying their needs and business challenges, alongside access to knowledge and online learning tools through Salesforce’s Trailhead platform.
These resources will help SMEs unlock their data’s full potential, understand the ethical use of data and AI, and leverage technology responsibly.
Tailored Tools and Support
By combining integrated data and AI, Singapore SMEs can uncover customer preferences, market trends, and areas for improvement more efficiently, helping them compete and scale. The Data + AI Boost SME Program will provide:
- Webinars, workshops, and events offering Salesforce training for SMEs to leverage trusted AI and data for growth and efficiency.
- Complimentary 1-1 consultation sessions to understand business challenges and catalyze innovation and growth.
- Access to Trailhead, Salesforce’s online learning platform, with modules on topics like Ethical Data Use in Personalization and Best Practices, equipping SME workers to use data and generative AI responsibly.
“Aligned with the Singapore Digital Enterprise Blueprint, IMDA is excited to partner with Salesforce to enable our SMEs to stay ahead of the curve. The Data + AI Boost SME program by Salesforce will strengthen AI adoption for SMEs by providing the know-how to unlock their data’s full potential and access resources to understand ethical data and AI use.
“We look forward to industry support to help SMEs leverage technology for competitiveness and growth,” said Mr. Leong Der Yao, Assistant Chief Executive, Sectoral Transformation Group, IMDA.
“SMEs are the bedrock of the Singapore economy and need access to AI and its foundational building blocks to support their growth and future competitiveness. Establishing the right data foundations is crucial for embracing AI effectively. The immediate challenge for SMEs is to ensure their data sets are interconnected in a valuable way,” added Sujith Abraham, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Salesforce ASEAN.
“Through the Data + AI Boost SME Program, Salesforce is making AI more accessible for SMEs to compete and succeed in today’s economy,” concluded Abraham.
