In this guide · 7 sections
Short answer
IMDA added a curated list of 100 AI tools to the SMEs Go Digital platform and launched three free programmes: six months of Singtel's Space document platform, a 60-day Slack Business+ trial with workshops, and 60-day trials of Beyondsoft's AI tools. Grant support still runs through EDGE.
What IMDA announced on 13 October 2026
The details below come from the Minister's keynote at SMEs Go Digital Day 2026 on the MDDI website, with programme details from Salesforce's announcement and The Straits Times.
| Announcement | What you get | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Curated AI tools list | 100 AI solutions across business functions on the SMEs Go Digital platform | Refreshed over time |
| Package Builder | Tailor features, add-ons and training for pre-approved solutions | All SMEs using pre-approved solutions |
| Singtel Stack-EZ AI Data Enablement | Six months' free access to Space, an AI document organiser | Up to 10,000 SMEs |
| Slack AI Launchpad (Salesforce) | 60-day Slack Business+ trial for up to 10 users, two workshops | Up to 1,000 SMEs |
| Tech Bridge Programme (Beyondsoft) | 60-day access to AI tools for sales, analytics and market intelligence | Up to 1,000 SMEs (per The Straits Times) |
The Minister also said that adoption of government-funded AI-enabled solutions grew by nearly 20% from 2025 to 2026, and that more than half of the pre-approved digital solutions now come with AI tools.
The curated list of 100 AI tools
IMDA's list is meant to help SMEs "cut through a crowded AI marketplace". The Straits Times reported that IMDA named Canva, DeepSeek, Lovable and Notion as examples, covering customer relations, content creation, workplace collaboration and finance. Many tools offer free trials or credits.
Two points the Minister made are worth keeping in mind. The list is a starting point and does not stop you looking beyond it. And being on the list is not the same as being a grant-supported, pre-approved solution, or a guarantee that a tool suits your data.
The three free AI programmes and who they suit
Singtel Stack-EZ AI Data Enablement Programme
Up to 10,000 SMEs can get six months' free access to Space, which classifies and organises documents such as contracts, invoices and receipts so they can be searched. It suits businesses whose files are scattered across shared drives, email and phones. Plan what happens to your documents and costs after the six months before you move everything in.
Slack AI Launchpad Programme
Salesforce says up to 1,000 SMEs get a 60-day Slack Business+ trial for up to 10 users, two hands-on workshops with its partners, and help to build at least one AI-enabled workflow. Sign-up opened on 13 October 2026 through the SMEs Go Digital platform. It suits teams that already chat on WhatsApp and want a shared workspace with automation, and are willing to move day-to-day communication into Slack.
Tech Bridge Programme
Beyondsoft, with IMDA, offers 60-day access to AI tools for sales management, business analytics and market intelligence that are widely used in China, with onboarding support. It suits retail and sales-led businesses comparing options. Check data location and contract terms carefully, as with any overseas service.
How it fits with EDGE and free digital consultancy
None of these trials is a grant. Grant support for pre-approved IT solutions now runs through Enterprise Singapore's EDGE Grant, which replaced PSG on 30 September 2026. Support levels differ by activity, payment is a reimbursement after the project, and the total cap is S$100,000 a year across activities. Our EDGE Grant guide explains what counts for IT.
If you do not know where to start, IMDA's CTO-as-a-Service platform has a Go Digital Advisor tool and free digital consultancy: the first advisory session and first project management support are at no cost for eligible SMEs (Singapore-based, at least 30% local shareholding, and turnover up to S$100 million or up to 200 staff). Check the current terms on the platform before you book.
Write down one problem worth solving
For example: answering the same customer questions, chasing invoices, or finding documents. A tool without a clear problem becomes another unused subscription.
Check the SMEs Go Digital platform
Search the curated AI list and the pre-approved solutions for that problem. Note which ones are grant-supported under EDGE.
Book a free consultancy session if unsure
Use CTO-as-a-Service if you need independent advice on which option fits, before talking to vendors.
Apply for any grant before you pay
Under EDGE, paying a deposit or letting the vendor start before you apply counts as a retrospective application, which is not supported.
Trial with dummy or low-risk data first
Run the trial on sample data, check the output and the data terms, then decide whether to roll it out.
Risks to check before adopting any AI tool
Free trials make it easy to start; the problems show up later. Run through these before rolling out a tool to staff.
AI tool adoption checklist
The last point matters: in 2026 the PDPC dealt with its first AI-related data breach, caused by an unreviewed AI-written email script.
Do it yourself or get help?
Signing up for a trial takes minutes. Turning it into something that saves time each week is the harder part, and it is where the workshops in the Slack and Beyondsoft programmes are meant to help.
If your aim is a specific job, we can build it on accounts you own. Our AI Website Assistant (S$790) answers customer questions from your own content, our Workflow Automation (S$390 per workflow) connects forms, spreadsheets, email and WhatsApp, and a Security Health Check (S$290) reviews your Microsoft 365 or Google settings before you connect new AI tools to them. For a simpler first step, see our guide to AI chatbots for business websites.
Frequently asked questions
IMDA said the curated AI solutions are on its SMEs Go Digital platform, alongside the pre-approved solutions and the Go Digital Advisor tool. The list covers functions such as customer relations, content creation, collaboration and finance, and IMDA has said it will refresh the list as new tools become proven and available.
Not automatically. The curated list helps you find credible tools, and many offer free trials or credits. Grant support applies to pre-approved solutions under Enterprise Singapore's EDGE Grant, which replaced PSG on 30 September 2026. Check each solution's listing for grant eligibility and apply before you pay anything.
Salesforce said SMEs can sign up through IMDA's SMEs Go Digital platform from 13 October 2026. Up to 1,000 SMEs get a 60-day Slack Business+ trial for up to 10 users, two workshops and support to build at least one AI-enabled workflow. Check eligibility and remaining places on the platform.
It is a programme by Singtel and IMDA giving up to 10,000 SMEs six months of free access to Space, an AI-powered platform that classifies and organises business documents such as contracts, invoices and receipts. It aims to help SMEs get their data in order before using other AI tools. Plan for costs after the free period.
It appears among IMDA's examples, but whether it is suitable depends on your data. Read where the service stores data and whether inputs are used for training, and avoid pasting customer personal data into any AI tool without a business plan and clear terms. Your PDPA obligations stay the same whichever tool you choose.