NDR 2026: Singapore won’t block tech for being disruptive, but will support affected workers

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated on Sunday that the nation will not block the adoption of new technologies due to their disruptive nature. Instead, the government will manage the impact on workers affected by these changes. Wong emphasized that Singapore has always adapted well to major technological shifts, such as industrialization, computers, and the Internet.

The country has managed to attract leading companies, build capabilities, and provide skills to its citizens, resulting in better jobs and opportunities. Currently, Singapore is expanding the commercial use of autonomous vehicles (AVs), which are being tested in Punggol. The Prime Minister explained that scaling up AVs will be gradual due to concerns about the livelihoods of taxi and private-hire drivers.

Wong pledged to support affected workers during the transition by retraining them for new jobs. He highlighted that Singapore has learned from its past experiences, such as the introduction of ride-hailing apps, where rules were put in place to ensure fair competition and support for drivers. Furthermore, Wong noted the significant impact that advances in artificial intelligence (AI) can have on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to access capabilities previously only available to larger companies.

These AI agents can handle routine tasks, such as marketing and operations, allowing small business owners to focus on expansion and family life. Wong described AI as a defining technology of the time, capable of enabling SMEs to think bigger, move faster, and achieve more with fewer resources.