From 2027, all university, poly and ITE students will learn AI skills as part of their studies

Education Minister Desmond Lee speaking at the NUS120 Distinguished Speaker Series on May 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

SINGAPORE - By 2027, all students from institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in Singapore will have opportunities to develop AI skills within their disciplines.
The IHLs have identified baseline AI competencies, which will be infused into compulsory modules for all incoming students by the academic year 2027.
One set of competencies has been developed for the autonomous universities, and another for the polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
Announcing these moves at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) 120 Distinguished Speaker Series on May 21, Education Minister Desmond Lee said the aim is to ensure that every student in Singapore - regardless of which institution they attend - receives a consistent and strong foundation in AI competencies.
What is important is “the mastery to combine and apply both AI and their deep knowledge meaningfully within their own discipline”, he said.
In April, Mr Lee announced the formation of a committee to guide AI use in Singapore’s higher education sector, to support the work of the National AI Council - an inter-ministerial council to help Singapore tap AI as a strategic advantage.