As many as 64 percent of Singapore businesses are now consistently using artificial intelligence (AI) in daily workflows, but only 18 percent have progressed to deploying fully autonomous systems capable of making decisions and executing tasks independently, according to new research from HubSpot.

The study, based on a survey of more than 700 business leaders in Singapore, indicates that while AI adoption has moved beyond early experimentation, many organizations are encountering challenges in scaling its use.

The findings suggest that companies most advanced in AI adoption are facing increasing complexity rather than simplification. As organizations expand AI use cases, issues such as data integration, legacy systems, and workforce skills gaps become more prominent.

According to the report, data quality and integration challenges were cited by 37 percent of respondents as a key barrier to scaling AI, second only to concerns around trust and reliability at 43 percent. Among businesses already deploying autonomous AI systems, these challenges intensify, with higher rates reported for data integration, legacy system limitations, and skills shortages.

The research highlights a shift in focus from access to AI tools toward the ability to operationalize them effectively. Businesses increasingly need connected data and integrated systems to enable AI to function reliably across operations.

Despite these challenges, interest in advanced AI remains strong. The study found that 43 percent of business leaders expect AI agents to become highly important to their operations within the next 12 to 24 months. Only 2 percent indicated no plans to invest in such technologies, while 28 percent are already investing.

Key factors influencing adoption include accuracy and reliability (66 percent), system integration (56 percent), governance (53 percent), and access to relevant business data (48 percent). Additionally, around 30 percent of respondents said that clear evidence of business outcomes would increase their willingness to invest further.

The report also notes broader national efforts to support AI adoption in Singapore, including initiatives such as the National AI Council and the Champions of AI program. Overall, the findings indicate that while ambition for AI adoption remains high among Singapore businesses, the primary barriers to scaling lie in foundational infrastructure, particularly in data integration and system connectivity.

Singapore’s digitally advanced businesses ten times more likely to report strong growth: HubSpot