In an era where Singapore’s position as a global business hub faces unprecedented challenges—from international trade tensions to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence—forecast accuracy has emerged as the paramount concern for chief executives worldwide. According to the latest 2025 CEO Study, in Singapore, this capability has surpassed traditional CEO’s priorities like productivity, profitability, and customer experience. For business leaders, operating at the crossroads of East and West, this finding represents more than a trend—it’s a strategic imperative.
Why forecast accuracy matters even more for Singapore
Singapore’s economy, built on trade, financial services, and technological innovation, is particularly vulnerable to global disruptions. The city-state’s CEOs must navigate not only domestic challenges but also ripple effects from geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and technological shifts that can reshape entire industries overnight.
The study, drawing insights from 2,000 CEOs across 24 industries globally, reveals that accurate forecasting has become the primary differentiator between market leaders and followers. In Singapore’s highly competitive landscape, where businesses must pivot quickly to maintain their edge, this capability is even more crucial.
Top-performing CEOs—termed “Luminary CEOs” in the study—consistently outperform peers in revenue growth and operating margins. Their secret weapon? An exceptional ability to anticipate change and respond with precision. For Singapore’s business ecosystem, where agility and foresight have always been competitive advantages, predictability has indeed become the new currency.
AI: Singapore’s forecasting advantage
Singapore’s early adoption of artificial intelligence positions local businesses to capitalise on AI-driven forecasting capabilities. The government’s Smart Nation initiative and robust digital infrastructure create an ideal environment for deploying advanced AI systems that can analyse complex, cross-functional data—from customer sentiment and supply chain dynamics to financial trends and regulatory changes.
The study reveals more than half (52%) of Singapore CEOs are actively adopting AI agents and preparing for large-scale implementation. Singapore’s businesses, supported by initiatives like the AI Singapore program, are well-positioned to lead this transformation.
One standout example is Grid Foundation Models (GridFMs), developed to support energy forecasting. These advanced AI models ingest spatial, temporal, and textual data to predict demand fluctuations, optimise grid flows, and anticipate outages. There has been global collaboration with utilities companies to tailor these tools, bolstering resilience and efficiency in the transition to renewable energy. For Singapore, pursuing ambitious renewable energy targets while maintaining grid stability, such AI-driven forecasting capabilities are essential for energy security and sustainability goals.
Another compelling example involves a global life sciences company that partnered with IBM Consulting to revolutionise its regulatory submission process. By deploying generative and agentic AI solutions, the company accelerated content generation and regulatory compliance, enabling more reliable forecasting of submission timelines—critical for faster, more predictable market entry.
The data foundation challenge
However, even sophisticated AI systems depend on quality data. The study reveals half (52%) of Singapore CEOs admit their recent technology investments have created fragmented systems that undermine forecasting efforts. For Singapore’s businesses, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Singapore’s advanced digital infrastructure and government support for data initiatives position local companies to build integrated data environments more effectively than many global counterparts. As Tamara Vrooman, CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority, noted: “Data as a single source of truth that everybody can see has been transformational—not only for eliminating challenges and disputes but also for identifying opportunities for improvement.”
Redefining ROI in the age of prediction
The study highlights a fundamental shift in how leaders define return on investment. While cost reduction remains important, CEOs increasingly prioritise investments that enhance forecasting capability. Today, a global high of 80 percent of Singapore CEOs prioritise AI use cases based on ROI, with 52% already seeing value from generative AI that goes beyond cost savings.
However, only 23 percent of AI initiatives have achieved enterprise-wide scale, highlighting the challenge of transforming pilots into comprehensive business transformation. Singapore’s CEOs must focus on initiatives that connect predictive capabilities with tangible business outcomes—whether enhancing supply chain resilience, deepening customer behavior insights, or enabling sophisticated scenario-based planning.
Building forecasting excellence: A Singapore roadmap
For Singapore’s business leaders navigating an increasingly complex global environment, the path forward requires:
- Investing in AI-driven forecasting tools: Deploy AI agents that integrate data across functions, analyse patterns, and produce reliable forecasts at scale, leveraging Singapore’s advanced digital infrastructure.
- Breaking down data silos: Build integrated, democratised data architectures that enable real-time insights and seamless collaboration across the organization.
- Cultivating agility culture: Empower teams to embrace scenario planning and rapid decision-making, encouraging experimentation and learning from forecasting outcomes.
- Aligning KPIs with forecast accuracy: Move beyond short-term productivity metrics to reward insights that inform strategic decisions and long-term competitive positioning.
- Taking calculated risks: Use AI to model scenarios and balance risk with opportunity, building organisational resilience essential for thriving in Singapore’s dynamic business environment.
As the IBM 2025 CEO Study demonstrates, forecast accuracy isn’t merely another executive priority—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage in our disruption-defined world. For Singapore’s business leaders, who have always understood the importance of anticipating change, this represents validation of a core competency that must now be enhanced through AI and advanced analytics.
By harnessing artificial intelligence, building robust data ecosystems, and shifting ROI conversations toward predictive insights, Singapore’s CEOs can transform uncertainty into opportunity. The leaders who embrace forecast accuracy as their North Star will not only navigate the turbulence ahead—they will define the future of business in Asia’s most dynamic economy.
Arun Biswas is Strategic Sales Leader of IBM Consulting, Asia-Pacific.
TNGlobal INSIDER publishes contributions relevant to entrepreneurship and innovation. You may submit your own original or published contributions subject to editorial discretion.
Image credit: Sraboni Basu on Unsplash
Southeast Asia’s AI moment: Empowering human capital and regional transformation