Straits Interactive launches Gen AI guide for SMEs

Straits Interactive, in partnership with Golden Gate University, Eduvate Hub, and upGrad, launched a new guide titled The AI Factory – AI Capability Guide for SMEs to help non-technical professionals and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) effectively adopt Generative AI.

The guide was officially released on November 11, 2025, during a launch event at the Holiday Inn Express (Novena) in Singapore, with Member of Parliament and National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay as guest of honor.

The book was authored by Singapore-based Kevin Shepherdson and Celine Chew, both doctoral candidates in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at Golden Gate University (GGU), and Professor Jay Gonzalez, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Founding Dean of GGU Worldwide.

Golden Gate University, headquartered in San Francisco—the global epicenter of AI innovation—has been instrumental in developing the concept of “AI Bilingualists,” or professionals fluent in both their industry and the language of Generative AI.

“Golden Gate University, situated in the heart of San Francisco – the AI capital of the world, has a significant number of Singapore-based senior executives and SME leaders in its DBA programme, who bring decades of local industry experience,” Gonzalez said.

“By combining their expertise with the transformative potential of Generative AI, these executives are now able to create practical and impactful AI solutions.”

“The book, The AI Factory, is a testament to how our doctoral candidates leverage their professional experience alongside cutting-edge AI tools to drive business innovation.”

The AI Factory provides a step-by-step framework for SMEs to integrate Generative AI into core business processes, reflecting Singapore’s push to build a digitally ready workforce.

The guide supports Singapore’s National AI Strategy, particularly the goal of empowering a new generation of AI Bilingualists who can drive growth, innovation, and competitiveness in the digital economy.

GGU and Eduvate Hub sponsored the project to support doctoral students in applying academic research to real-world use cases involving Generative AI.

upGrad Tech Pte Ltd, Asia’s top workforce development platform backed by Temasek, also supported the publication through its collaboration with GGU, which offers the world’s first DBA program with a specialization in Generative AI.

This program enables doctoral candidates to publish books, business plans, patents, or dissertations as part of their academic research, aimed at accelerating global innovation through practical outputs.

Rohit Sharma, president of upGrad, said the initiative contributes directly to Singapore’s leadership in AI.

“upGrad is committed to contributing to Singapore’s National AI Strategy by grooming Singaporean candidates to become leaders in AI,” Sharma said.

“Through our partnership with Golden Gate University, we aim to export Singapore’s AI-driven expertise to the world, fostering a global network of AI Bilingualists who will shape the future of business.”

The book launch event featured a keynote address from Tay and panel discussions with industry leaders, academics, and AI professionals on the future of AI in SMEs and the workforce.

Discussions highlighted the strategic role of AI Bilingualists in helping Singapore SMEs adopt AI responsibly and sustainably across industries.

Straits Interactive said The AI Factory will serve as a foundational guide for non-technical professionals, offering actionable tools and insights to help them thrive in an increasingly AI-powered business environment.