Singapore Polytechnic to Support Companies in Managing Industrial AI Risks

Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is stepping up efforts to help manufacturers and industrial companies manage the risks associated with artificial intelligence as AI becomes increasingly integrated into factory and operational environments.

SP has been appointed the founding training partner for AutomationSG’s Trusted Industrial AI-Ready Framework (TIA-Ready), an initiative designed to provide companies with a practical approach to assessing AI-related risks, assigning responsibilities and implementing safeguards before scaling industrial AI applications.

The framework allows companies to begin with a clearly defined industrial AI application, such as machine vision inspection or predictive maintenance, before gradually expanding AI adoption across their operations.

This staged approach is intended to make AI governance more manageable, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that may not have dedicated teams responsible for AI governance, cybersecurity or data protection.

Building Governance Around Industrial AI

As AI becomes more widely deployed across manufacturing operations, companies need to consider how the technology interacts with production systems, operational data and employees.

TIA-Ready provides organisations with a structured way to identify potential risks and establish controls around individual AI applications.

Rather than requiring companies to implement organisation-wide AI governance immediately, the framework encourages them to start with one bounded use case, develop supporting evidence and strengthen governance progressively.

AutomationSG CEO Saw Biing Huei said the approach can also help companies gradually prepare for ISO/IEC 42001, the international standard for AI management systems.

TIA-Ready incorporates relevant Singapore and international standards and has been benchmarked against ISO/IEC 42001.

Companies can use the framework to document their existing AI controls and governance practices before deciding whether to pursue formal certification.

Testing the Framework With SMEs

Singapore Polytechnic was also involved in developing the framework.

As part of the development process, SP worked with JM Vistec and CADVision Systems to test whether TIA-Ready was practical and understandable for small and medium-sized companies.

Feedback from the pilot projects indicated that the framework could help smaller businesses identify AI-related risks and strengthen governance while minimising disruption to existing operations.

A steering committee involving AutomationSG, SP and other industry partners will continue to guide the development of the framework, while participating organisations will support training, pilot projects and companies preparing for wider industrial AI adoption.

Industrial AI Skills Become Part of Workforce Development

Alongside the framework, SP will introduce an Industrial AI and Governance Literacy programme in October 2026.

The programme will target graduates, adult learners and industry partners, with the aim of developing practical knowledge around the responsible use and management of AI in industrial environments.

SP Principal and CEO Soh Wai Wah said companies increasingly require both suitable technology and employees with the capabilities to deploy AI responsibly as it becomes embedded in industrial operations.

The institution is also expanding partnerships across advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, automation, sustainability and regional development.

Nine partnerships have been announced involving organisations including Dassault Systèmes, CADVision Systems, Singapore Manufacturing Federation, GlobalFoundries, SMC Corporation Singapore, Women in Aviation Singapore Chapter, Stolz Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Advantech and GloboAI Robotics.

Strengthening Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities

The partnerships are expected to provide students, employees and adult learners with greater exposure to internships, industry attachments and emerging technologies, including agentic AI.

SP will also support companies seeking to develop capabilities for regional expansion, including opportunities connected to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

Under its partnership with GlobalFoundries, SP is expected to train more than 2,000 employees as part of the semiconductor manufacturer’s digital transformation efforts.

A separate collaboration involving Dassault Systèmes and CADVision Systems will see SP deploy the 3DEXPERIENCE Works for Startups and SOLIDWORKS SkillForce programmes.

SP will also become a SOLIDWORKS Authorised Training Centre, strengthening training opportunities in industrial AI, advanced engineering and manufacturing design.

Preparing Industry for Responsible AI Adoption

The TIA-Ready initiative reflects Singapore’s broader push to accelerate industrial AI adoption while ensuring companies have suitable governance and workforce capabilities in place.

Technologies such as predictive maintenance, machine vision and agentic AI are becoming increasingly relevant to manufacturers looking to improve productivity, reliability and operational efficiency.

At the same time, wider adoption brings new considerations around data management, accountability and how AI systems interact with industrial operations.

By combining practical governance frameworks with workforce training, Singapore Polytechnic and AutomationSG are seeking to help companies introduce industrial AI in a more structured and controlled manner as adoption expands across the manufacturing sector.