New Playbook Charts a Clear AI Transformation Path for Local Enterprises

1. Singapore enterprises today are eager to harness artificial intelligence (AI) as it has become an increasingly powerful driver of business transformation. However, with support spread across various programmes, grants, advisory services, and skills development initiatives from multiple government agencies, many are unsure where to start, which support best fits their needs and stage of AI adoption, and what steps to take next.

2. To address this, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG)¹ have jointly developed the AI for Enterprise Impact Playbook under the National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP). Informed by insights gathered through engagements with more 
than 1,000 enterprises, the Playbook will provide digitally progressive enterprises, also known as Digital Leaders², with a practical, enterprise-centric guide to assess their readiness to adopt AI, identify relevant support, and take clear, actionable next steps.

3. Designed for Digital Leaders of all sizes, sectors and stages of AI journey, the Playbook consolidates programmes and resources from IMDA, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), SSG and WSG into a single, easy-to-navigate framework. This makes it simpler for enterprises to access the support most relevant to their priorities and needs, while helping their workers build AI-related skills. The Playbook is available for free for all enterprises on IMDA's Digital Leaders Programme webpage.

4. Unlike other resources that address technology adoption and workforce development separately, the Playbook takes a more holistic approach by recognising that successful AI adoption depends on both business transformation and workforce readiness. As the AI landscape evolves, the Playbook will be continuously updated to keep pace with emerging developments and changing enterprise needs.

A Three-step Process to Guide Digital Leaders in AI Transformation

5. The AI for Enterprise Impact Playbook will guide enterprises through a simple three-step process.

Step 1: Diagnose – Where are you today?

• Enterprises begin by completing a self-assessment using a built-in checklist to better understand their current readiness across the five dimensions listed below. Each dimension is rated from Level 1 (just starting out) to Level 4 (scaling and leading), helping them identify where they stand and build their action plan:

• Strategy & Leadership examines how AI is embedded in the business strategy and how actively leadership supports it.
• Talent & Culture looks at how ready the workforce is to adopt AI, including skills, roles and openness to new ways of working. 
• Data & Governance assesses how well data is managed and whether the enterprise has the guardrails needed for responsible AI use. 
  
• Tech Deployment & Integration evaluates how far AI tools have been adopted and scaled across the enterprise. 
• Value Creation measures the tangible business impact AI is generating, from productivity gains and cost savings to new revenue streams and business models.

Step 2: Match – What support is most relevant?

• Once enterprises have determined their readiness, Stage 2 of the Playbook will show them the most relevant enterprise AI transformation and workforce upskilling support from IMDA, EnterpriseSG, SSG and WSG – aligned to their current stage of AI adoption and business priorities.

Step 3: Act – What should you do next?

• With relevant support “matched”, enterprises are guided on practical next steps aligned with their business priorities and workforce needs, including where to go for more information on programmes or grants, and how to apply for them. The goal is not to do everything at once, but to help enterprises take the next step with confidence and progress from there.

The Playbook in Practice: Grain’s AI Transformation

6. Grain, a homegrown food experience company offering meals on demand and catering for any occasion, began collaborating with IMDA under the Digital Leaders Programme³ (DLP) on its AI adoption journey, even before the AI for Enterprise Impact playbook was developed. However, the approach taken closely reflects what the Playbook sets out to do. IMDA worked with Grain’s leadership team to assess its stage of digital transformation and business goals, and helped the company develop a structured roadmap covering technology adoption, leadership priorities, workforce development, and the implementation plan – the same Diagnose, Match and Act approach underpinning the Playbook.

7. Under DLP, Grain invested in building an in-house digital team and AI tools tailored for its day-to-day operations, including AI agents developed specifically to support its culinary director, who oversees the kitchen operations, food safety and hygiene, menu planning, and stock and inventory management. Previously, the culinary director spent two to three hours each morning sifting through WhatsApp messages to address urgent requests and low stock alerts. Today, the AI agent summarises the day’s priorities based on incoming messages, flagging low-stock ingredients, ingredient and raw material quality issues, equipment and manpower concerns, operational challenges, pest sightings, food safety matters, and customer feedback, while also recommending appropriate follow-up actions.

8. Beyond deploying AI tools, Grain's leadership also made deliberate efforts to bring its employees along on the transformation journey. The company regularly provides training to help employees use the AI tools effectively, freeing them from manual tasks to focus on higher-value work, such as recipe development, customer engagement, and improving fulfilment processes. The leadership team also fosters a culture where employees at all levels are empowered to build their own AI tools to improve productivity and efficiency.

9. Grain has already seen significant benefits from these efforts – time needed to build new products and tools has dropped by 80% and administrative workload has decreased by 20%. Its experience reflects a core principle of the AI for Enterprise Impact Playbook: successful AI adoption is not just about deploying technology but enabling both the business and its people to adapt and grow together.