Singapore's Skills and Workforce Development Agency launched over 200 AI courses and a new career centre called Connect by SWDA at Paya Lebar. Eligible Singaporeans aged 18 and above who attend selected courses receive six months of free access to premium AI tools including ChatGPT Plus, Google AI Pro, Manus AI, Microsoft 365 Personal, and Singtel AI Pass. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Acting Minister Jasmin Lau announced the initiatives at the SkillsFuture Festival 2026. The agency also opened the OurWorkforce employer portal and launched the AI Ready Quiz with the Singapore Institute of Technology.
PM Wong urged businesses to consider their workforce when planning transformations rather than after decisions are already made. Smaller businesses will receive digital tools and funding to support job redesign and workforce change. Each person can redeem only one free AI subscription regardless of how many courses they take.
In other AI-related developments, Kioxia plans to list its American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange to raise up to $10 billion for expanding its NAND flash memory business. The listing is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, predicts that artificial intelligence could push short-term interest rates toward 7 percent. She cited Anthropic's revenue jumping from $9 billion to $65 billion in under a year as evidence of AI's economic impact. Wood also expects US President Donald Trump to veto any AI regulation efforts.
On the regulatory front, US midterm elections are creating risk for AI-related stocks amid backlash against data centers. Lawmakers from both parties are calling for AI safety regulations after Anthropic PBC and OpenAI pledged to slow development of their most advanced models. Meanwhile, a survey of over 500 CISOs found that 69% made AI their top priority for new security budget dollars in 2026, with many organizations investing in AI cybersecurity before its value has been clearly proven.
Key Takeaways
- Singapore launched over 200 AI courses and a new career centre called Connect by SWDA
- Eligible Singaporeans get six months of free access to tools like ChatGPT Plus, Google AI Pro, and Microsoft 365 Personal
- Kioxia plans a $10 billion NY listing to expand its NAND flash memory business
- Cathie Wood predicts AI could push interest rates toward 7 percent
- Anthropic's revenue reportedly jumped from $9 billion to $65 billion in under a year
- 69% of CISOs made AI their top security budget priority in 2026
- Anthropic PBC and OpenAI pledged to slow development of advanced AI models
- US midterm elections are creating risk for AI-related stocks amid regulatory pressure
- Singapore's PM Wong urged firms to plan for workforce changes alongside business transformation
- SWDA launched the AI Ready Quiz, a 12-question assessment developed with the Singapore Institute of Technology
Singapore launches over 200 AI courses and new workforce initiatives
Singapore's Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) launched over 200 AI courses and new initiatives to boost career readiness. Eligible Singaporeans aged 18 and above who attend selected courses receive a free six-month subscription to premium AI tools. SWDA also opened a one-stop career hub called Connect by SWDA and launched the OurWorkforce portal for employers. The agency partnered with the Singapore Institute of Technology to create the AI Ready Quiz.
SWDA opens career hub and offers free AI tools to course-takers
The Skills and Workforce Development Agency opened Connect by SWDA, a physical one-stop centre for workers and employers. Eligible Singaporeans who enrol in over 200 curated courses can receive six months of free access to tools like ChatGPT Plus, Google AI Pro, Manus AI, Microsoft 365 Personal or Singtel AI Pass. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the centre brings learning, career guidance and employment support together. The initiatives support the National AI Impact Programme.
PM Wong urges firms to plan for workers amid SWDA AI course rollout
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said businesses must consider their workforce at the same time they transform, not after decisions are already made. SWDA launched over 200 AI courses, a new service centre, and a one-stop employer portal called OurWorkforce. Smaller businesses will get digital tools and funding to help with job redesign and workforce transformation. Wong also said SWDA will streamline its services to make the system easier for people to navigate.
AI courses and new centre launched to boost career support in Singapore
SWDA launched more than 200 AI courses and a new centre called Connect by SWDA at Paya Lebar. From September 16, eligible Singapore citizens aged 18 and above who attend curated AI courses get a six-month free subscription to tools including ChatGPT Plus, Google AI Pro, Manus AI, Microsoft 365 Personal and Singtel AI Pass. SWDA also launched the OurWorkforce employer portal and the AI Ready Quiz with the Singapore Institute of Technology. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was the guest of honour at the event.
Free six-month access to premium AI tools for Singaporeans from September 16
Singapore citizens aged 18 and above who attend an eligible AI course will receive a free six-month subscription to a premium AI tool. They can choose from ChatGPT Plus, Google AI Pro, Manus AI, Microsoft 365 Personal or Singtel AI Pass. Each person can redeem only one free subscription regardless of how many courses they take. SWDA and the Singapore Institute of Technology also launched the AI Ready Quiz, a 12-question online assessment that takes about 15 minutes.
Singapore launches over 200 AI courses and new career centre
Singapore's new Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) launched more than 200 AI courses on Sept 16. Eligible citizens aged 18 and above get six months of free premium AI tools like ChatGPT Plus and Google AI Pro. A new centre called Connect by SWDA opened at Paya Lebar to support job seekers and employers. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Acting Minister Jasmin Lau announced the initiatives at the SkillsFuture Festival 2026.
AI and polling security key topics at state elections conference
Avery County election officials focused on artificial intelligence and polling place security at the state training conference in Greensboro. The State Board of Election summer conference featured an airplane theme honoring the state motto. Officials used the event to address emerging technology challenges in election processes.
AI and polling security dominate state elections training
Election officials from Avery County highlighted artificial intelligence and polling place security as major concerns at the state training conference. The State Board of Election summer conference in Greensboro used an airplane theme to recognize the state motto. The event addressed important technology and safety issues for future elections.
Kioxia plans $10 billion NY listing to expand NAND business
Kioxia, a global flash memory supplier, will list its American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange to raise up to $10 billion. The ADRs will trade under the ticker symbol KIXIA. The listing aims to fund expansion of its NAND business driven by growing demand for flash memory. The ADR listing is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Alphabet seen as cheap Magnificent Seven AI stock pick
Alphabet trades at 15x forward earnings while its Cloud business surged 82% in the past year. The company is expanding cloud infrastructure and services, making it a key growth driver. Despite strong performance, the stock price has stayed relatively flat due to market volatility. Analysts view Alphabet as a potentially overlooked AI winner among Magnificent Seven stocks in 2026.
Dreamforce 2026 opens with AI guardrails debate
The Dreamforce 2026 conference began focusing on how companies use AI. Industry leaders discussed how much freedom AI developers should have. They also debated what safety rules should be in place for AI development. Katie Nielsen reported on the event.
GPT-6 Astra model farms potatoes after Minecraft Creeper destroys everything
OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model got further than any AI system in a 141-hour Minecraft test. After a Creeper explosion destroyed its chest and bed, the model lost all progress and spawn points. GPT-6 Astra then spent hours farming potatoes in defeat. The model also became paranoid about creepers and criticized itself for losing items.
AI security spending rises as companies act before proving value
A survey of over 500 CISOs found that 69% made AI their top priority for new security budget dollars in 2026. Many organizations are investing in AI cybersecurity without clear proof of its value. The rush is driven by AI moving into production, operational growth, and fear of falling behind competitors. Security leaders say the threat landscape demands action now.
Midterms test tech stocks as both parties address AI regulation
US midterm elections are creating risk for AI-related stocks amid backlash against data centers. Lawmakers from both parties are calling for AI safety regulations. The stakes rose after Anthropic PBC and OpenAI pledged to slow development of their most advanced models. AI optimism had powered a market rally for nearly four years.
Visa's AI payments push changes its investment story
Visa, Mastercard and Ant International agreed to work on a shared Know Your Agent interoperability framework. Visa also announced new onchain credit tools for stablecoin-linked card programs using VisaNet data and blockchain infrastructure. These moves push Visa's payments network deeper into AI agents and digital assets. Future transaction growth now ties directly to trust and risk management tools.
Plus500 launches +AI Bites for Canadian traders
Plus500 introduced a feature called +AI Bites for its Canadian clients. The tool shows real-time trading trends and data within the platform. It works alongside another feature called +Insights and other analysis tools. Plus500 says it provides information, not trading advice. The company reminds users that CFD trading carries a high risk of loss.
Cathie Wood predicts rates above 7 percent on AI boom
ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood says artificial intelligence could push short-term interest rates toward 7 percent. She manages about $42 billion in funds and believes AI will cause economic growth and deflation. Wood cited Anthropic's revenue jumping from $9 billion to $65 billion in under a year. She also expects US President Donald Trump to veto any AI regulation efforts. She spoke during a visit to Australia.
Sources
- Singapore rolls out over 200 AI courses and new initiatives to boost skills and workforce readiness
- New skills agency opens one-stop career hub, rolls out free premium AI tools for course-takers
- PM Wong urges firms to plan for workers as SWDA rolls out over 200 AI courses
- AI courses, new centre launched by workforce agency to boost career support in Singapore
- Free 6 months' access to premium AI tools for S'poreans who take selected courses from Sep. 16
- Over 200 AI courses, new centre launched by new workforce agency to boost career support in S’pore
- Avery elections board: AI, security dominate state elections conference in Greensboro
- Avery elections board: AI, security dominate state elections conference in Greensboro
- 86% Report Strong AI Investment Returns
- The Cheapest Magnificent Seven AI Stock in 2026
- Dreamforce 2026 conference begins as industry leaders debate new guardrails on AI development
- 'Defeated' GPT-6 Astra model spent several hours just farming potatoes after being blown up by a Creeper in Minecraft — OpenAI offering gets further than any other AI system in 141-hour test
- AI Security Spending Jumps as Fear Outpaces Proof of Value
- Midterms Become Tech Stock Test as Trump, Parties Position on AI
- Is AI Payments Push Altering The Investment Case For Visa (V)?
- Plus500 +AI Bites for Canadian Traders
- $42b fund manager Cathie Wood sees interest rates topping 7pc on AI boom
Comments
Please log in to post a comment.