Singapore, December 10, 2025 — Despite global economic uncertainty, entrepreneurship is accelerating and small businesses in Singapore are entering 2026 with resilience and agility. Artificial intelligence is emerging as their competitive edge, helping them punch above their weight against larger rivals, according to LinkedIn’s new Work Change Report. The research highlights three key growth engines powering small businesses: AI and tech driving speed and scale, brand credibility to create trust and visibility and networks that turn attention into opportunity. Yet, adoption and literacy gaps remain. Sustaining this momentum will depend on how quickly SMBs close the technology divide while continuing to strengthen consumer trust and build on strong networks.
Technology and AI is leveling the playing field
AI has the potential to be a growth equaliser and a potent amplifier for small enterprises. It makes possible automation, more intelligent marketing, and data-driven decision-making—capabilities that were previously only available to major corporations. Despite ubiquitous digital capabilities, adoption among Singapore’s SMBs is still inconsistent.
Less than half of professionals utilise AI in their daily work, while just 26% use it for more complex activities like strategy or data analysis. The capacity to use AI technologies for commercial reasons is known as AI literacy, and it continues to be one of the major possibilities facing small firms in Singapore. Compared to 99% for large organisations with 1001+ people, these abilities per employee increased 67% year over year for companies 11–50.
Although over half (49%) of SMB workers claim that their employers are helping them learn AI, many (50%) are still confused about which skills to prioritise next.
However, their need for experiential learning is evident; they seek opportunities to use AI in their daily job (35%), real-world projects and assignments (35%), and online training and tutorials (34%). SMB leaders have a significant potential to engage in training that makes AI immediately relevant as a result of this desire for experiential learning.
Brand building tops small business priorities
Skills and technology by themselves won’t ensure success. Authenticity becomes the most important differentiation when AI-generated material proliferates online. SMB marketers are aware of this: 73% think human voices are more important than ever, while 80% say AI helps them produce more content more quickly.
To establish credibility and stand out in a crowded digital space, many are stepping up their efforts to produce community-driven content using the voices of creators, experts, and staff members. Small firms (76.6%) place an even greater emphasis on authenticity than do larger corporations (60%), demonstrating how SMBs are leveraging human voices as a competitive advantage.
Networking unlocks opportunities
Additionally, human connections are now crucial for small firms. Networks support growth in concrete ways, such as assisting with lead generation, guiding hiring decisions, and offering reliable advice when it counts most.
Small businesses are acting on this insight, growing their networks strategically and seeing real results. Professionals in companies with 50 employees or fewer are expanding their networks 11% year-over-year, compared to 9% at large enterprises. This momentum shows that even as AI reshapes how we work, human relationships can help set businesses apart.
Elsie Ng, Director, LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Singapore and Malaysia, LinkedIn, stated, “Small businesses in Singapore are in growth mode and AI can be their ultimate force multiplier in 2026. Authenticity and trust matter more than ever, and networks are the new currency for growth. At LinkedIn, we’re equipping small businesses with AI-assisted drafting and tailored actions that save time, so they can focus on building networks and fostering relationships that drive growth while also developing the skills they need to turn technology into real advantage.”
To help SMBs accelerate growth and build resilient brands, LinkedIn offers solutions from Company Pages and content amplification to LinkedIn Events as well as free curated LinkedIn Learning courses like ‘Leveraging AI for Small and Medium Business Growth’, ‘Nano Tips for Defining Your Personal Brand’ and ‘How to Network Smarter’. The latest LinkedIn Work Change report provides actionable insights tailored for Singapore SMBs.
