During a parliamentary debate on the shift toward artificial intelligence (AI), Sembawang West SMC MP Poh Li San stated that while Singapore’s current workforce may not be fully prepared for the transition to an AI-driven economy, it is nonetheless in a strong position to adapt. Her comments were made in Parliament on Wednesday, May 6.
The discussion followed a parliamentary motion introduced by labour chief Ng Chee Meng. Mr. Ng had emphasized the critical need to center workers within Singapore’s economic growth driven by AI, arguing that advanced technological development cannot be assumed to automatically result in an increase or improvement in job quality for the population.
Focusing National Efforts on Empowerment
Poh Li San suggested that Singapore’s approach to AI should concentrate on customizing AI solutions specifically for various industries to boost the capabilities of its citizens. She referenced the four key sectors targeted by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his May Day Rally speech on Friday, May 1: advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance, and healthcare.
“AI-powered robots will indeed be the force multiplier,” Poh stated, acknowledging the magnitude of the change. Regarding readiness, she remarked, “Are we ready for this transition? Not yet. We are well-positioned for it, but we must move fast.”
Six Steps for Workforce Readiness
To guide Singapore through this technological shift, Poh outlined six necessary actions focused particularly on the fields of advanced manufacturing and transport connectivity:
- Industry Forecasting: She urged trade unions to predict which sectors and job types face risk or displacement due to AI implementation, quantifying the potential number of affected workers.
- Retraining Funding: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) should then be responsible for funding comprehensive retraining programs to equip displaced workers for different roles within other industries.
- Individual Responsibility: Workers themselves must proactively acquire new skills and maintain an open mindset toward emerging job opportunities.
- Academic Redesign: The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) must overhaul academic curricula, guiding students away from fields that are already being automated by AI tools. Poh stressed that all IHL students should incorporate learning relevant AI tools pertaining to their specific disciplines.
- Attracting Talent: The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has a role in attracting more global, world-class companies specializing in the AI sector to establish headquarters in Singapore, thereby drawing specialized research and development talent.
- Business Adaptation: Finally, businesses must collaborate with AI companies to automate processes, redesign job roles, and create hybrid teams comprising both human and machine components.
The Future of Work Model
Poh Li San envisioned a future where man-machine collaborative teams represent the “new normal.” In this model, robots would handle physically demanding tasks, while humans would manage complex supervisory functions. She described this shift as “a new model of freedom and empowerment unimaginable today, but a reality in the very near future.”
She also noted that because physical demands are expected to decrease, it could allow more Singaporeans to choose to retire at an older age. Furthermore, she highlighted potential benefits for women and seniors who might be able to enter industries previously dominated by individuals with greater physical strength.
Poh concluded by adding that robots do not carry any “social baggage,” implying they offer a neutral means of labor replacement, unlike human displacement which carries social implications.
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