Purpose
AI Competency Evaluation (ACE) is a modular AI certification examination system designed to evaluate, certify, and enhance individuals' ability to respond in the AI era. It is positioned as a "globally applicable trust language for AI competence," not merely a one-time test, but a strategic driver of inclusive AI transformation.
Key competencies/components
ACE evaluates capabilities across four core dimensions: 1) AI literacy; 2) technical proficiency; 3) strategic readiness; 4) collaborative intelligence.
The examination consists of four papers:
- Paper 1: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence. Covers the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts, including supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning architectures, and model evaluation methods, requiring both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
- Paper 2: Generative Artificial Intelligence. Explores generative AI technologies, including large language models, prompt engineering, agentic AI systems, and applications in programming and content generation, while also addressing ethical considerations.
- Paper 3: Artificial Intelligence Applications. Covers the practical application of AI and machine learning across different business functions and industries, emphasizing identifying AI opportunities, evaluating use cases, understanding implementation challenges, and designing customized solutions.
- Paper 4: Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Governance. Comprehensively covers ethical principles, governance frameworks, and responsible AI practices, emphasizing both theoretical foundations and practical application.
Design principles include: modularity, contextual relevance, cultural sensitivity, scalability, and portability.
How to use
ACE is currently offered only in English, conducted online through an ACE-aligned portal website, using secure, proctored delivery, and candidates may take it at home or in the office. Each paper is a timed examination, typically completed within a few hours, with the specific duration and format stated on the standard pages and in the registration confirmation. Candidates may choose individual papers or the full set, and choose the student, individual, or enterprise track. Registration can be completed through the ACE/ExtranAI Global Academy examination portal or via WhatsApp +65 91291013.
Scoring method: each paper contributes to the overall score (equally weighted or adjusted by industry). Score band interpretation: 1-4 indicates limited readiness, 5-6 indicates operational capability, 7-8 indicates advanced capability, and 9-10 indicates leadership/global impact.
Applicable scenarios
ACE is intended for individuals, professionals, and organizations that wish to formally validate AI skills, covering roles from students to enterprise leaders. Specific uses include:
- Career advancement: Obtain an ACE AI competency certification profile and digital certificate for career development, internal AI upskilling programs, and external credibility.
- Enterprise assessment: Employers can use ACE to standardize the assessment of AI capabilities across roles, as objective evidence of AI literacy in recruitment, reducing reliance on moReliance on the "AI experience" claim.
- Internal training: Organizations can use ACE results to measure AI capability improvement before and after training, for ROI reports, to identify AI advocates, and to support promotion criteria.
- University certification: ACE can be integrated into university or college courses, allowing students to obtain AI capability certification alongside a degree or module.
- Special student pricing: ExtranAI provides students with dedicated ACE training packages, including bundled online courses and one exam covering four test papers, usually priced lower than adult or corporate plans.
Enterprises can register teams to take the ACE exam. Corporate packages include multiple exam seats, an internal dashboard, and consolidated AI capability grading reports for HR and L&D teams.
Limitations/Notes
- Exam language: Currently only available in English.
- Exam format: Online proctored, timed completion.
- Retakes: Retakes are allowed after a cooling-off period; the specific number of attempts and waiting time are explained in the ACE exam policy section.
- Certificate validity: The ACE certificate reflects the AI capability at the time of the exam. Depending on the track, it may be recommended to retake or upgrade the test papers after a few years to stay in sync with AI practice.
- Practice materials: ExtranAI provides sample questions and practice materials corresponding to each test paper.
- Price: Students 200 Singapore dollars/person (includes one exam covering 4 test papers and an overall score certificate); individuals/adults 300 Singapore dollars/person; enterprises 4000 Singapore dollars/company (up to 20 people, one exam per employee including 4 test papers and a certificate, one set of 4 test paper text boxes).
- Certification recognition: ACE is positioned as a globally applicable AI capability framework, linked to academic and multilateral network expertise, and is increasingly regarded by employers and partners as a standardized way to express AI readiness.
Background
ACE was jointly developed in 2025 by an interdisciplinary student team from Cornell University's Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer program, together with leading AI engineers and practitioners from Asia-Pacific innovation hubs such as Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau. The initiative also brings together the expertise of Ivy League alumni, a panel of senior experts from the UK and US, and several founding members of the United Nations University Global AI Network, ensuring alignment with multilateral development goals and ethical AI governance.
ExTran AI Global Academy is the flagship education and certification institution under the ExTran AI Group, dedicated to building a world-class AI literacy, leadership, and lifelong learning ecosystem, based in Asia and serving the world.
