Skills Ignition AI Challenge 2026
Don’t just learn AI. Prove you can work with it.
Move beyond AI theory. Join the Skills Ignition SG AI Challenge to solve the same friction points you face every day in Accountancy, HR, Legal, and Sales & Marketing.
This strategic initiative by Google and IMDA empowers you to master the application of AI tools to automate your workflows. You'll build a portfolio that proves you are more productive, more efficient, and prepared for the future. At the end of the programme, top individuals will be invited to apply and explore suitable opportunities with teams at Google.
Limited to 500 participants. Applications are now closed.
Key benefits
Top individuals will be invited to apply and explore suitable opportunities with teams at Google
Receive resume and interview training from Google teams
Gain exposure in front of Singapore's business leaders with your AI-powered workflows
Get 3-month access to the Google AI Pro Plan at no charge
Prizes
Grand Prize Winner
First Runner Up
Second Runner Up
Our Strategic Partners
What You'll Learn
Accountancy
Master NotebookLM to automate your manual auditing workflows. You’ll learn to analyse fiscal datasets to find anomalies and forecasting opportunities with high precision.
Human Resources
Use NotebookLM to synthesise complex local regulations into a comprehensive, 100% compliant HR handbook. This allows you to focus your expertise on what matters most: building culture and talent.
Legal
Turn NotebookLM into your digital clerk to cross-reference thousands of pages of case law and contracts. You’ll surface critical precedents in seconds and ensure your strategy is built on a foundation of total intelligence.
Sales & Marketing
Move beyond basic data gathering. Leverage Gems on Gemini to automate competitive mapping and trend analysis, allowing you to arrive at every meeting with a pitch that defines the strategic direction of your brand.
Skills Ignition AI Challenge 2026
February - March: Kick off your journey
Register to join the challenge.
May: Hands-on learning & Preliminary Submission
Attend our mandatory virtual training to learn how to use AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to automate workflows in your field. You’ll then submit a preliminary proposal for a chance to be selected as one of the top 50 finalists.
June: Virtual Mentorship
The top 50 finalists will be paired with business leaders for a 3-week sprint. Over three virtual mentorship sessions, you will receive expert guidance to sharpen and refine your solution.
July: The Grand Finale Showcase
Step onto the big stage to present your final, validated solution in-person to a panel of government officials, industry experts and Google executives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- We're looking for final-year students, jobseekers, and mid-career professionals in Accountancy, HR, Legal or Sales & Marketing.
- All participants must be at least 18 years old and physically located in Singapore to be eligible.
- Not at all. This programme is designed to empower non-tech professionals in Accountancy, HR, Legal and Sales & Marketing.
- You will learn how to use AI tools like NotebookLM and Gemini to automate workflows in your field.
- Plan to dedicate 10 hours weekly throughout the programme.
- You'll need to attend virtual training sessions and submit an AI-powered proposal based on the real-world business problem assigned to you.
- If you are selected as one of the top 50 finalists, you will move into an intensive sprint involving three virtual mentorship sessions with our organisation partner to refine your solution.
- Top 50 finalists are also expected to attend the in-person Grand Finale to showcase their AI-powered workflow to a panel of judges.
- You'll walk away with a portfolio that proves to current and future employers that you can use AI to be more productive and efficient.
- Receive resume and interview training from Google teams during the virtual sessions.
- The Grand Prize winner takes home SGD $5,000, with $3,000 for the 1st Runner-Up and $2,000 for the 2nd Runner-Up.
- At the end of the programme, top individuals will be invited to apply and explore suitable opportunities with teams at Google.
- Each participant selected for the challenge will receive a 3-month free trial of the Google AI Pro Plan.
- You must use a personal Gmail account (@gmail.com) to redeem this trial.
- While you’ll need to provide a form of payment to sign up, you can cancel at any time—including immediately after redemption—to avoid being charged once the 3-month trial ends.