
Singapore’s digital economy expanded to $128.1 billion in 2024, accounting for 18.6% of the nation's GDP, according to the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) latest Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025. The figure marks a $12 billion increase from 2023.
More than two-thirds of the digital economy’s output last year came from non-infocomm and communications sectors, led by finance and insurance, followed by wholesale trade and manufacturing.
SMEs lead digital tools and AI adoption
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are stepping up digital adoption, using an average of 2.3 digital tools across six key areas. Nearly all (97%) have implemented at least one sector-specific solution under IMDA’s Industry Digital Plans, reflecting broad-based progress in digitalisation.
AI uptake has accelerated, too. The share of SMEs using artificial intelligence (AI) tripled to 14.5% in 2024, typically in functions such as IT, customer service, and finance and accounting. While most firms rely on off-the-shelf generative AI tools, 44% have developed proprietary or customised AI systems, underscoring growing sophistication in how businesses deploy the technology.
SMEs tapping AI-enabled solutions under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) recorded average cost savings of 52%, while those adopting AI-powered cybersecurity tools achieved savings of 71%, highlighting the strong returns from AI investment.
To sustain these gains, over two-thirds of AI-adopting firms plan to prioritise workforce training in the next two years, and 63% intend to redesign jobs to better integrate AI into daily operations.
Workplace AI gains acceptance
The report also reveals that employees are increasingly embracing AI. Nearly 74% of surveyed workers reported using AI at work, with many on a daily or weekly basis. They are mainly leveraging the technology for brainstorming and ideation (58%), writing and editing (54%), and administrative tasks (42%).
By using AI, users report improvements in productivity, time savings, and work quality. Beyond efficiency, 48% said AI enhanced their creativity, while one-third credited it with helping develop new skills.
“We are encouraged by the strong growth momentum of our digital economy, now accounting for 18.6% of Singapore’s GDP. We will broaden and deepen our support for sectors, enterprises and talent to harness digitalisation and AI for innovation and productivity. At the same time, we are laying the foundation for frontier technologies, including embodied AI, agentic AI, quantum computing and communications, ensuring Singapore stays competitive and inclusive in the digital future,” says Kiren Kumar, IMDA’s deputy chief executive.
Source: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/digitaledge/digital-economy/singapores-digital-economy-hits-128-bil-ai-use-among-smes-triples