Smarter Business with Artificial Intelligence: Hands-On Tools for Small and Medium Enterprises
- Innovation & Business Improvement
- Leadership & Management
This course is conducted on-campus.
To use your SkillsFuture Credit, please submit your claim through our payment portal. Do not submit the claim manually via the SkillsFuture page. Please refer to our step-by-step guide here.
3 days
Singapore Management University
Who Should Attend
- Business Analysts
- Operations Managers
- Finance, Accounting, Legal, and Compliance Professionals handling document-intensive workflows
PREREQUISITES
There are no prerequisites for this programme. As this programme is conducted in English, participants should be proficient in reading, writing, and communicating in English.
Overview
Yet AI can significantly streamline everyday tasks, from processing invoices and contracts to summarising emails and extracting key business insights.
This beginner-friendly AI course for SMEs empowers participants with practical, privacy-preserving AI tools for real world business use. Instead of relying on external platforms, participants will learn how to deploy local Large Language Models (LLMs) and on-premise AI solutions to process documents securely within their own Information Technology (IT) environment.
Through real case studies and hands-on lessons, participants will learn basic Python for document processing, apply Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, such as text summarisation and information extraction, and create low-code workflows using Power Automate Desktop (PAD). Practical SME scenarios include analysing supplier invoices, interpreting contract terms, and automating document-heavy processes across finance, operations, and compliance.
Key topics include local LLM deployment, privacy-preserving AI workflows, information extraction, text summarisation, and Named Entity Recognition (NER). These concepts are applied through practical SME scenarios such as analysing supplier invoices, summarising client communications, and interpreting contract terms using AI-enhanced workflows.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the 3-day course, participants will be able to:
- Recognise practical opportunities and realistic limitations of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) operations
- Understand how local AI can automate document intensive processes across finance, operations, legal, compliance, and more
- Set up and deploy local Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate routine document‑processing tasks securely
- Apply AI in a privacy-preserving way while maintaining compliance and data control
- Develop simple Python scripts to extract and organise structured data from common business documents
- Build low‑code automation workflows using Power Automate Desktop (PAD) to streamline business processes
- Integrate Python, LLMs, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tools to design an end‑to‑end intelligent automation solution for a real‑world SME use case
- Gain the skills to confidently deploy LLMs within their organisation, ensuring privacy, compliance, and full control of business information
Assessment
As part of the requirement for SkillsFuture Singapore, there will be an assessment conducted at the end of the course. The mode of assessment, which is up to the trainer’s discretion, may be an online quiz, a presentation or based on classroom exercises.
Participants are required to attain a minimum of 75% attendance and pass the associated assessment in order to receive a digital Certificate of Completion issued by SMU Academy.
Calculate Programme Fee
Fee Table
| EMPLOYER-SPONSORED | |||
|
PARTICIPANT PROFILE |
SELF-SPONSORED |
SME |
NON-SME |
|
Singapore Citizen < 40 years old Permanent Resident LTVP+
|
$1,177.20 (After SSG Funding 70%) |
$457.20 (After SSG Funding 70% |
$1,177.20 (After SSG Funding 70%) |
|
Singapore Citizen ≥ 40 years old |
$457.20 (After SSG Funding 70% |
$457.20 (After SSG Funding 70% |
$457.20 (After SSG Funding 70% |
|
International Participant |
$3,924 (No Funding) |
$3,924 (No Funding) |
$3,924 (No Funding) |
All prices include 9% GST
Please note that the programme fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Post Secondary Education Account (PSEA)
PSEA can be utilised for subsidised programmes eligible for SkillsFuture Credit support. Click here to find out more.
Self Sponsored
SkillsFuture Credit
Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above may use their SkillsFuture Credits to pay for the course fees. The credits may be used on top of existing course fee funding.
This is only applicable to self-sponsored participants. Application to utilise SkillsFuture Credits can be submitted when making payment for the course via the SMU Academy TMS Portal, and can only be made within 60 days of course start date.
Please click here for more information on the SkillsFuture Credit. For help in submitting an SFC claim, you may wish to refer to our step-by-step guide on claiming SkillsFuture Credits (Individual).Workfare Skills Support Scheme
From 1 July 2023, the Workfare Skills Support (WSS) scheme has been enhanced. Please click here for more details.
Employer Sponsored
Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)
- Organisation must be registered or incorporated in Singapore
- Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million
- Trainees must be hired in accordance with the Employment Act and fully sponsored by their employers for the course
- Trainees must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
- Trainees must not be a full-time national serviceman
- Trainees are eligible for ETSS funding only if their company's SME status is approved prior to the course commencement date. To verify your SME's status, please click here.
Please click here for more information on ETSS.
Absentee Payroll
Employers who sponsor their employees for the course may apply for Absentee Payroll here. For more information, please refer to:
AP Guide (Non-SME Companies)
Declaration Guide (SME Companies)
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