SME Adoption of Generative AI Jumps; Training Initiatives Announced
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are accelerating their embrace of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and new training and enablement programmes are being launched to support this surge. According to recent studies, nearly one-third of SMEs are now using generative AI, and specialist training partnerships are emerging to help bridge the capability gap.
A report by Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) shows that on average 30.7% of SMEs in surveyed countries report that at least one person in their organisation uses generative AI in their work. OECD This rate rises significantly in service and knowledge-work sectors, where generative AI is deployed in tasks such as marketing content creation, customer engagement and administrative automation.
Meanwhile, a separate market intelligence analysis found that in 2025, more than half of SMEs that already plan AI investments intend to increase their investment, and generative AI is at their core. S&P Global
Key Highlights
Usage now widespread: Across multiple countries, a sizeable share of SMEs are already using generative AI; for instance, usage ranges from 24 % in Japan to 39 % in Germany. OECD
Spending momentum strong: For many SMEs, AI (including generative AI) is no longer optional but part of strategic tech budgets. S&P Global
Training gap remains: Despite the uptake, many SMEs acknowledge a lack of internal skills and structured training programmes as a major barrier to deeper integration. > “Only 12 % of small and medium-sized enterprises have invested in AI-related staff training … 29 % identify lack of training as their top obstacle.” TechRadar
New Training and Enablement Launches
In response to the opportunity and skills-gap challenge, several collaborative initiatives are now under way to help SMEs adopt generative AI responsibly and effectively.
For example, in Singapore, the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME), SMU Academy (the professional training arm of Singapore Management University) and Straits Interactive (an ed-tech & governance platform) announced a tripartite collaboration to accelerate generative AI deployment among SMEs. This ecosystem covers training, technology and community support. Singapore Management University (SMU)+1
A central product of that initiative is The AI Factory – AI Capability Guide for SMEs, a practical playbook aimed at helping SMEs understand, design and implement generative AI solutions in a responsible manner. The Straits Times
Why It Matters
Productivity boost: Generative AI helps SMEs improve employee productivity, reduce reliance on contractors, and handle more tasks internally. For example, in the OECD study, 65 % of SMEs using generative AI reported improvements in employee performance. OECD
Levelling the playing field: For smaller businesses with limited budgets and staff, generative AI offers an opportunity to compete more effectively by automating content creation, customer service, and repetitive tasks.
Skills & readiness critical: Without the proper training and oversight, SMEs risk under-utilising generative AI, mismanaging data and exposing themselves to compliance or governance issues. Expert commentary emphasises the need for structured training, governance frameworks and human oversight. UTS
What the Training Initiatives Offer
Tailored education: The Singapore-based initiative provides a structured roadmap from awareness to operational capability, helping SMEs build so-called “AI bilingualists” – staff who combine domain expertise with AI fluency. Singapore Management University (SMU)+1
Practical tools & playbooks: The playbook The AI Factory offers concrete use-cases, workflow guides, and governance check-lists.
Hands-on and scalable: The ecosystem covers micro-businesses and larger SMEs and is designed to scale across sectors and regions.
Focus on responsible adoption: Training emphasises not just tool-use, but ethical, governance and data-risk management dimensions of generative AI use.
Outlook & Business Implications
With generative AI now shifting from curiosity to deployment, SMEs that invest in skills and operational readiness stand to capture first-mover advantages: faster content generation, better customer engagements, and leaner operations. However, the path to transformation isn’t automatic. As experts note, many SMEs still use generative AI only for peripheral tasks — only about 29 % report using it in core activities. OECD
For businesses and stakeholders, the message is clear: Training and capability-building must accompany technology investment. The rising adoption numbers underscore a transition phase — but without investment in people and process, many SMEs risk being left behind.
About This Release
This announcement serves to highlight the rising adoption of generative AI among SMEs and to shine a spotlight on newly launched training initiatives aimed at catalysing this trend. Enterprises, training providers and policy-makers should consider how they can support SME ecosystems in leveraging generative-AI technologies responsibly and effectively.
For further reading on SME generative AI uptake, see the OECD report on SME use of generative AI.
For more details on the Singapore training collaboration, refer to the partnership announcement by SMU Academy and ASME.
