SMU Academy and TechFin Global launch Advanced Certificate in Agentic AI

Singapore, 24 August 2026 (Monday) - As generative AI tools become commonplace, basic generative AI literacy is now a baseline capability. The next competitive advantage lies in knowing how to integrate AI into real business workflows, processes and decision-making, and organisations increasingly need professionals who can address business challenges by translating that fluency into practical, measurable outcomes.

Under Singapore's National AI Impact Programme, the nation also aims to support 100,000 workers in becoming 'AI Bilingual', combining domain expertise with practical AI fluency, while helping 10,000 enterprises advance their AI adoption over the next three years.

In support of this national push and responding to shifting market needs for professionals who can move beyond generative AI to lead agentic AI adoption, SMU Academy (SMUA), the professional training arm of Singapore Management University (SMU), and TechFin Global today announced the launch of the Advanced Certificate in Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI).

This 12-day programme is designed to equip working professionals with the practical capabilities to design, build and responsibly deploy AI agents within their organisations, empowering them with the skills needed to lead AI-enabled business transformation. Through six modules, the curriculum takes participants from the foundations of agentic AI through to workflow design, practical implementation, governance and responsible deployment. Catering to managers, business leaders, consultants, product professionals, operations teams and technical practitioners across industries, the programme does not require prior knowledge of AI or advanced programming knowledge.

The programme is designed for managers, business leaders, consultants, product professionals, operations teams and technical practitioners across industries. Unlike conventional generative AI tools that primarily respond to individual prompts, AI agents can plan, use tools, coordinate tasks and take actions with varying degrees of autonomy. This shifts AI from a standalone productivity tool to an integrated part of business workflows and processes.

Working professionals will increasingly need to know how to identify suitable use cases, redesign processes, evaluate risks, collaborate with technical teams and guide implementation within their organisations. The programme addresses this directly. By the end of the programme, participants will be better equipped to:

• identify high-impact business use cases and AI opportunities within their organisations;
• translate business requirements into practical agent workflows and redesign business processes using AI agents;
• design and prototype AI agents using no-code, low-code and API-based tools;
• evaluate the feasibility, risks and expected business value of AI initiatives to support better decision-making;
• collaborate more effectively with technical, operational and leadership teams; and
• lead responsible AI adoption and transformation initiatives within their organisations.

Rather than focusing only on technical theory, the programme is designed to help participants connect AI capabilities with measurable organisational outcomes, such as increased productivity, better decision-making, enhanced customer experiences and more efficient business processes. It also equips participants with practical AI implementation capabilities that can strengthen their relevance as job roles and business functions continue to evolve.

The curriculum comprises six modules covering the foundations of agentic AI, machine learning and natural language processing, agent workflow design, industry applications, building AI agents, and AI governance and safety. Through practical exercises, real-world case studies, no-code and low-code tools, and API sandboxes, participants will work on translating business challenges into functional agentic AI solutions. Please see Annex 1 for more details.

Jack Lim, Executive Director of SMU Academy, said, "At SMU Academy, we believe that continuing education should go beyond acquiring knowledge. It should enable learners to connect emerging concepts with real-world contexts and translate learning into meaningful impact."

"The Advanced Certificate in Agentic Artificial Intelligence brings together academic perspectives, practical application and responsible AI principles to help working professionals develop a deeper understanding on how agentic AI can be applied across business functions and industries. Beyond understanding the technology, participants will develop the practical and responsible application skills needed to translate AI into workplace outcomes," he added.

Shaun Lai, Head of Programmes at TechFin Global, said, "Generative AI is quickly becoming a baseline capability in the workplace. The next step is understanding how to apply it meaningfully within a business, whether that is to improve workflows, support decision-making or create better outcomes.

Agentic AI takes this further by enabling AI systems to work through multiple steps, interact with different tools and act towards a defined goal. Our focus is not on turning every professional into an AI engineer, but on giving them the practical understanding to identify where AI can add value, work effectively with technical teams and support responsible implementation within their organisations."

The launch also comes as Singapore strengthens its approach to the responsible use of agentic AI.

In January 2026, Singapore introduced the Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI, providing guidance for organisations deploying AI agents and emphasising the importance of meaningful human accountability.

As AI systems become increasingly autonomous, professionals must understand where human oversight, safeguards and accountability remain essential. The programme therefore combines practical implementation skills with responsible AI governance, preparing participants to bridge business strategy, domain expertise and AI implementation while supporting their organisations' AI transformation efforts.

Supported by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA), the Advanced Certificate in Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) is eligible for SWDA funding, making advanced AI upskilling more accessible to Singaporeans. The full programme fee is S$13,080 inclusive of GST, with fees as low as S$1,524 after maximum funding, depending on participant and sponsorship eligibility. Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above may also use their SkillsFuture Credit for self-sponsored participation.

The first intake commences on 28 September 2026 and will be conducted on the SMU campus. Participants who attain at least 75% attendance and pass the assessments for all six modules within three years will receive the digital Advanced Certificate in Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) issued by SMU Academy.

For more information, visit the programme page here: https://academy.smu.edu.sg/courses/advanced-certificate-agentic-artificial-intelligence-ai

Enclosure:

• Annex 1: About the Advanced Certificate in Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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