- AI is moving from experimentation to strategic deployment among Singaporean businesses
- Advanced AI tools are gaining momentum across organisations
- Deeper integration, governance and resilience are now the priorities for local businesses
SINGAPORE, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses are moving beyond basic AI, with Singapore recording the strongest demand for agentic AI among all markets surveyed in a new CPA Australia survey.
CPA Australia's Business Technology Report 2026 found 56 per cent of organisations expect to increase their use of agentic AI over the next 12 months, the highest result among surveyed markets. AI adoption is also near universal, with 93 per cent of businesses using AI compared with the survey average of 89 per cent.
Nearly half of respondents reported using advanced AI applications such as custom-built AI solutions and agentic AI, signalling a shift from off-the-shelf tools to technologies tailored to specific business needs.
While adoption is high, the opportunity now lies in deeper integration. Forty-one per cent of respondents said AI is used across several areas of the business, while only 12 per cent reported AI is deeply embedded throughout their organisation.
The annual survey of 1,679 accounting and finance professionals across Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Chinese Mainland and Singapore suggests the next challenge is embedding AI across business functions rather than simply adopting the technology.
CPA Australia's Singapore Deputy Divisional President, Joshua Ong, said the findings indicate businesses are moving beyond AI experimentation and focusing on how the technology can drive productivity, performance and competitive advantage.
"AI adoption is already widespread. What sets leading organisations apart is how deeply they integrate AI into their operations," Mr Ong said.
"Businesses are increasingly looking beyond generic AI tools and investing in more sophisticated technologies that can improve productivity, support decision-making and automate complex tasks.
"This direction aligns closely with Singapore's updated National AI Strategy, which places greater emphasis on moving businesses towards meaningful AI adoption and deeper integration across sectors. Singapore's strong interest in agentic AI suggests many businesses are already preparing for the next stage of digital transformation."
"The opportunity now is for businesses to translate that enthusiasm into practical applications that deliver measurable value, while maintaining effective governance and human oversight."
According to respondents, the leading benefits of AI are increased productivity, improved employee experience, and greater accuracy and efficiency in repetitive tasks.
Digital maturity remains a key strength. Ninety per cent of respondents use data analytics and business intelligence tools, while 84 per cent use cybersecurity software.
Cybersecurity remains a concern, however. Sixteen per cent reported losing time or money due to a cyber incident in the past year. While below the survey-wide figure of 19 per cent, the finding highlights the need for continued investment in cyber resilience as reliance on AI and data grows.
Respondents identified overreliance on AI, reduced human oversight, data privacy concerns and the pace of technological change as the biggest barriers to deeper AI adoption.
"Organisations that combine innovation with strong governance, cybersecurity and workforce capability will be best placed to realise the full value of AI," Mr Ong said.
Key findings
- 93% use AI, compared with the survey average of 89%.
- Nearly half use advanced AI applications, including custom-built and agentic AI solutions.
- 56% expect to increase their use of agentic AI in 2027, the highest result among surveyed markets and above the survey average of 45%.
- 41% use AI across multiple business functions.
- 12% have deeply embedded AI across their organisation.
- 90% use data analytics and business intelligence tools.
- 84% use cybersecurity software.
- 16% reported losing time or money due to a cybersecurity incident in the past year, compared with 19% across all surveyed markets.
About CPA Australia
CPA Australia is Australia's leading professional accounting body and one of the largest in the world. We have more than 176,000 members in over 100 countries and regions. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. A CPA is a Certified Practising Accountant. More at cpaaustralia.com.au
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Singapore leads region in race to next-generation AI
- New research from ARC Advisory assesses top 16 suppliers of EAM systems
- Recognition reflects more than 40 years of EAM innovation and deep expertise in asset-intensive operations
ZÜRICH, Switzerland, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi Energy, the global leader in electrification, has been positioned as a Leader in Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software by ARC Advisory Group, reflecting the company's deep industry expertise, extensive installed base, and continued investment in solutions for mission-critical, asset-intensive operations. The findings are part of ARC's comprehensive research study "ARC MarketMap for Enterprise Asset Management 2026."
Read the ARC MarketMap for Enterprise Asset Management 2026 excerpt: https://www.hitachienergy.company/G3j
According to the study, "Hitachi Energy has established a strong position through its industry expertise, extensive installed base and continued investment in expanding and enhancing its portfolio." ARC adds, "The company has particularly strong domain alignment with power utilities and grid infrastructure, supported by deep expertise in transformers, substations, and high-voltage asset environments. The supplier's strength lies in combining operational technology depth with digital asset intelligence to support resilience, uptime, and long-term infrastructure modernization."
EAM expertise built for mission-critical operations
For power utilities, transportation operators, and other asset-intensive organizations, EAM provides the operational foundation for managing physical assets throughout their lifecycle, connecting asset planning, operations, maintenance, work execution, and lifecycle decisions from commissioning through retirement. By providing a consistent view of assets, work, resources, and costs, EAM helps organizations improve asset reliability, increase operational and workforce efficiency, and optimize lifecycle costs while reducing the risk of disruptions to essential services.
"For more than 40 years, we have developed EAM solutions around the realities of maintaining the assets and infrastructure society depends on," said Andy Howell, Global Head of Enterprise Software Solutions Product Group, Hitachi Energy. "That combination of operational technology expertise, industry knowledge, and proven delivery continues to distinguish Hitachi Energy. ARC's recognition reflects both the value our customers achieve today and our strategy to advance EAM through cloud, data, AI, and strategic collaboration."
Hitachi Energy's EAM portfolio includes Ellipse EAM for electric utilities and other asset-intensive industries, and Asset Suite for the specialized requirements of nuclear power operators.
Advancing EAM through strategic collaboration with Microsoft
Building on this established EAM foundation, Hitachi Energy is advancing the next generation of asset management through its strategic alliance with Microsoft, which ARC identifies as a significant differentiator. As announced in January 2026, the companies are bringing together Hitachi Energy's Ellipse EAM and asset-intensive industry expertise with Microsoft's cloud, data, productivity, and AI technologies. The unified solution will establish a common data foundation and apply agentic AI across asset management and business workflows, enabling users to act on better insights, streamline work, and strengthen the safety, reliability, and affordability of essential infrastructure.
"We congratulate Hitachi Energy on this well-deserved recognition as a leader in enterprise asset management," said Dayan Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President, Manufacturing and Mobility, Microsoft. "EAM is fundamental to how asset-intensive organizations sustain critical operations and adapt to growing demands. Through our collaboration with Hitachi Energy, we are bringing together complementary capabilities to support a more connected approach to asset and operational management—one that enables users to put data to work, make timely decisions, and continuously improve performance."
How ARC evaluates EAM leaders
ARC's evaluation of EAM suppliers relied on customer reference interviews, live capability demonstrations, and vendor responses to a 75-parameter questionnaire covering technical competencies, quality of delivery, digital maturity, innovation roadmaps, corporate alignment, and client satisfaction benchmarks. Leaders in ARC's study are defined as suppliers exhibiting strong current performance and a clearly articulated future strategy and demonstrate:
- Established solution capabilities and mature technology foundations
- Consistent delivery execution
- High levels of customer satisfaction
Founded in 1986, ARC Advisory Group is a global research and advisory firm specializing in Industrial AI, digital transformation, operational excellence, cybersecurity, and the technologies that underpin next-generation industrial ecosystems.
Trademark notice: All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners
About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global leader in electrification, powering the electricity era to meet the energy demands of today, and the next 25 years. As the energy arm of Hitachi Group, over three billion people depend on our pioneering, mission-critical technologies to power their daily lives. With over a century of innovation, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time: driving the evolution of the world's energy system to ensure abundant, secure, affordable, and sustainable power for today's generation and the next. With an unparalleled installed base in over 140 countries, we are the grid ecosystem partner across the utility, industry, data center, and transportation sectors. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 56,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $20 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://x.com/HitachiEnergy
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi aims to be a global leader in continuously transforming social infrastructure through digital, contributing to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates worldwide across four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – as well as a Strategic SIB Business Unit focused on new growth areas. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi creates value by combining data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2025 (ended March 31, 2026) totaled 10,586.7 billion yen, with 606 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 290,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.
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Hitachi Energy earns Leader recognition in enterprise asset management for mission-critical industries
