Budget 2026 for AI & Deep-Tech: The $37B Opportunity Map
Singapore is betting $37 billion on research and innovation through RIE 2030—roughly 1% of GDP annually. Budget 2026 maps exactly where AI and deep-tech specialists can find career opportunities, research funding, and startup capital. This is the most technical Budget read you'll find.
Budget 2026 Guide Series
This article is part of our comprehensive Budget 2026 analysis. Explore guides tailored to your demographic or sector:
Overview
Demographics
Property
The AI & Deep-Tech Investment Map
| Initiative | Scale | Opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| National AI Council | Chaired by DPM Gan | Policy influence, national projects |
| 4 National AI Missions | Manufacturing, connectivity, finance, healthcare | Sector-specific AI deployment |
| AI park at one-north | Compute infrastructure hub | Co-location, shared resources |
| Champions of AI | Company transformation programme | Consulting, implementation roles |
| RIE 2030 | $37B total | Research funding across deep-tech |
| 400% AI tax deduction | $50k/year qualifying | Your employer saves on your tools |
| Quantum computing | First system outside US in SG | Research and engineering roles |
| Semiconductors | Advanced packaging investment | Chip design and fabrication |
| 60+ AI centers | Firms with AI CoE in Singapore | Employment and partnerships |
| AI regulatory sandboxes | Announced | Governance and compliance roles |
National AI Council: The Governance Layer
The National AI Council, chaired by DPM Gan Kim Yong, signals that AI is now a whole-of-government priority. Four National AI Missions target specific sectors: advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance, and healthcare.
What this actually means: Government procurement in these four sectors will increasingly require AI capabilities. If you're building AI products or services targeting manufacturing automation, telco/5G intelligence, fintech/risk, or clinical AI—you're aligned with national priorities. GovTech contracts and pilot programmes will flow to these domains.
AI Park at One-North: Your New Address
The new AI park at one-north anchors compute infrastructure alongside existing research clusters (Fusionopolis, Biopolis, Launchpad). For ML engineers and researchers, this means:
- Potential access to shared compute resources (GPU clusters, training infrastructure)
- Co-location with other AI companies for collaboration and talent circulation
- Proximity to A*STAR, NUS, and NTU research labs
- Purpose-built facilities for AI-intensive workloads
Quantum Computing: Singapore's Quiet Bet
PM Wong highlighted that a quantum computing company chose Singapore to host its latest system—the first deployment outside the US. The Center for Quantum Technologies at NUS has been operating since 2007, and a Nobel laureate's startup is collaborating with A*STAR and NUS.
What this actually means: Quantum is still pre-commercial for most applications, but Singapore is positioning early. Quantum researchers, error-correction specialists, and quantum algorithm developers have a growing ecosystem here. The $37B RIE 2030 includes quantum as a focus area.
Semiconductors: Advanced Packaging
Advanced semiconductor packaging—the process of integrating multiple chips into single packages—is a key investment area. Singapore's semiconductor cluster performed strongly in 2025, and the government is doubling down.
What this actually means: Chip design engineers, packaging specialists, and process engineers have strong job security. With TSMC, GlobalFoundries, and other fabs in Singapore, the ecosystem is mature enough to attract talent and investment. The geopolitical shift away from Taiwan concentration benefits Singapore directly.
400% Tax Deduction: What Your Employer Should Know
The Enterprise Innovation Scheme gives 400% tax deduction on qualifying AI expenditure—up to $50k/year. If you're an ML engineer, your GPU cloud bills, AI tool subscriptions, and training costs are effectively 75% subsidised through tax benefits.
Make sure your employer knows about this. If they're spending $50k/year on AI infrastructure anyway, structuring it as qualifying EIS expenditure saves $34,000 in taxes. More in our startup founders guide.
60+ AI Centers of Excellence
PM Wong mentioned that over 60 firms have established AI centers of excellence in Singapore. These range from MNC research labs (Google, Microsoft, Meta) to regional AI hubs for banks and enterprise companies.
What this actually means: Deep-tech specialists in Singapore have an unusually dense concentration of employers. The talent market is competitive—but so is the demand. If you're considering relocating to Singapore for AI work, the ecosystem is arguably the deepest in Southeast Asia. See our foreign professionals guide.
AI Regulatory Sandboxes
The announcement of AI regulatory sandboxes creates a new category of roles: AI governance, compliance, and ethics. Companies deploying AI in regulated sectors (finance, healthcare) will need professionals who understand both the technology and the regulatory framework.
Career Strategy for AI/Deep-Tech Specialists
- Align with National AI Missions: Manufacturing, connectivity, finance, healthcare—these four sectors get priority funding and procurement
- Consider one-north: The AI park creates clustering effects—proximity to talent, compute, and research
- Build regulatory knowledge: AI sandboxes signal that governance skills become premium alongside technical skills
- Explore quantum: Early-career specialists who build quantum expertise now will be scarce and valuable in 5-10 years
- Diversify your wealth: Tech compensation is often concentrated in equity. Gold provides uncorrelated protection alongside your tech stocks
Read More Budget 2026 Guides
- Budget 2026: Top 10 Things You Need to Know
- Budget 2026 for Startup Founders
- Budget 2026 for Investors
- Budget 2026 for Corporate Leaders
- Budget 2026 for Educators
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Singapore investing in AI and deep-tech?
The $37B RIE 2030 plan (~1% GDP/year) covers AI, quantum, semiconductors, biomedical, and other deep-tech. Specific AI investments include the National AI Council, AI park at one-north, Champions of AI programme, and 400% tax deduction for AI spending.
What are the 4 National AI Missions?
The four sectors are advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance, and healthcare. Each gets dedicated government funding, procurement priority, and tailored AI deployment support through the Champions of AI programme.
Is Singapore a good place for quantum computing careers?
Yes and growing. The Center for Quantum Technologies at NUS has operated since 2007, a quantum computing company deployed its first non-US system here, and a Nobel laureate's startup collaborates with A*STAR. It's early but Singapore is positioning as an Asian quantum hub.
What is the AI park at one-north?
A new compute infrastructure hub at one-north clustering AI companies alongside existing research facilities (Fusionopolis, Biopolis). It will offer shared compute resources, collaboration spaces, and proximity to A*STAR and university research labs.
How does the 400% AI tax deduction work for tech workers?
Employers spending on qualifying AI tools, training, and R&D get 400% tax deduction up to $50k/year—saving $34,000 in taxes annually. ML engineers should ensure their GPU cloud bills and AI subscriptions are structured as qualifying EIS expenditure.