Singapore’s AI boom is lifting GDP. Who gets carried along?

Singapore's economy grew 6.1% year on year in the first half, with second-quarter growth at 5.9%, driven by an artificial intelligence investment boom, prompting the government to raise its full-year growth forecast to 4.5-5.5%. The growth is attributed to stronger-than-expected global AI capital expenditure, but the article questions whether the benefits will be broadly shared across sectors.

Singapore’s AI boom is lifting GDP. Who gets carried along? Closing the productivity gap between sectors will require more than fiscal transfers SINGAPORE is doing what a small, open economy is supposed to do when the world enters an artificial intelligence investment boom: It is selling the picks and shovels. The first half-year numbers are impressive. The economy grew by 6.1 per cent year on year, with second-quarter growth reaching 5.9 per cent. The government has raised its full-year growth forecast https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/singapore-raises-2026-growth-forecast-4-5-5-5-q2-growth-revised-5-9 to between 4.5 and 5.5 per cent, citing stronger-than-expected global AI capital expenditure https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/iran-conflict-has-hit-inflation-more-growth-mas-says-any-growth-drag-will-be-outweighed-ai-boost . TRENDING NOW /pulse?ref=trending-now Japan Home closing outlets; staff say Valu$ taking over operations Timah Partners lands S$60 million facility from lenders including UOB, RHB ComfortDelGro’s Zig to buy S$10 million worth of BYD cars for private-hire fleet How BYD disrupted Singapore’s car market – and why the strategy is turning on itself