Bringing tech and people together for Singapore’s AI future
Businesses, workers and the government share responsibility to ensure everyone benefits from AI
The Business Times roundtable in Singapore discussed the shared responsibility of businesses, government, and individuals to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) for the city-state's future. The event covered various topics, including protecting junior workers and the impact of AI on job loss. Claressa Monteiro emphasized that AI adoption should be a collective effort, and firms must protect the "first rung" of workers by ensuring they learn how to challenge AI.
Kok Ping Soon warned that the ease of access to AI can lead to cognitive surrender, where workers may become reliant on AI-generated answers without critical thinking. He expressed concern about the immediate efficiency improvements firms might gain by outsourcing junior workers' tasks to AI, potentially losing valuable talent in the process.
A Ministry of Trade and Industry study revealed that the first batch of workers benefiting from AI are higher-skilled, higher-paid individuals aged 35 to 44, as they possess the necessary experience for AI to complement their skills. Monteiro highlighted that employers need to be more forward-thinking and consider redesigning jobs for junior workers to facilitate the learning process and challenge AI systems.
Structured apprenticeships and government support are crucial in this shared responsibility, as private companies may not need to retain numerous juniors. Monteiro suggested that universities should reconsider their curricula, incorporating structured apprenticeships in the final year of study.
Mark Tham, however, pointed out that organizational change remains a significant challenge, as CEOs must address both the technical aspects of AI and the human elements, such as organizational strategy, culture, and risk management. He stressed the importance of aligning AI efforts with the workforce's interests and demonstrating the value of investing in people.
Dilys Boey noted that younger Singaporeans are optimistic about AI's potential but apprehensive about the perceived lack of a people-centric approach. She suggested that progressive employers should address concerns about job displacement and the potential impact on creativity and career growth.
To bridge the gap between AI ambition and people-centric values, Boey proposed that companies should invest in skills development and collaborate with progressive mid-sized firms to create more job opportunities. The SkillsFuture Queen Bees initiative by SWDA aims to uplift ecosystem partners and build a stronger job market, with the government working alongside career advisers, unions, and private providers to create a transparent job bank.
To measure the success of AI adoption without job loss, Boey highlighted the importance of tracking the employment rate of graduates six months after graduation, as well as individuals' skill stock and their ability to adapt to new roles within or outside their current companies.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
