Businesses should use AI to raise productivity, not replace workers: NTUC’s Desmond Tan

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 23, 2026

Desmond Tan of NTUC urged businesses, especially SMEs, to use AI to solve real operational challenges and invest in worker skills rather than just replace jobs. Synagie launched its Geene 2.0 platform, offering AI-driven tools and blockchain-based product verification, with commercial availability starting in August and potential applications across multiple sectors.

Businesses should focus on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity and address operational challenges rather than simply replacing workers, said Desmond Tan, deputy secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Speaking at the launch of Synagie’s new AI platform on July 22, Tan emphasized the importance of identifying genuine business issues before adopting AI solutions, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may otherwise adopt the technology due to its novelty.

Tan, who also serves as Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted that effective AI integration should be accompanied by investments in job redesign and skills upgrading for employees. “Good execution must begin with identifying a real business problem,” he said, noting that many companies face challenges in determining where to start with AI adoption.

The event marked the introduction of “Geene 2.0,” a platform developed by Singapore-based digital commerce firm Synagie in collaboration with 11 partners, including BytePlus, Singdata, Fly Entertainment, and China Mobile International of Hong Kong. The platform offers a suite of features such as data analysis, strategic recommendations, content generation, workflow automation, and blockchain-enabled product verification. Geene 2.0 is set to be commercially available from early August.

To demonstrate the platform’s capabilities, Synagie presented a case study involving AGONG Durian, a premium Malaysian brand. Geene 2.0 processes data including daily durian supply, competitor pricing, and market trends to generate business strategy recommendations, create marketing content, and automate customer engagement. Each durian is tagged with blockchain technology to enable consumers to scan a code and verify product authenticity, including origin, harvest details, and delivery information.

Synagie noted that the platform’s framework could be adapted for various sectors such as retail, consumer goods, and luxury products, particularly where product authenticity, compliance, and consumer trust are vital.

Tan also underscored the need for collaborative efforts among companies, workers, and the government to ensure successful AI adoption. Synagie recently unionized and signed a collective agreement with the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union, allowing the company to partner with NTUC on initiatives related to workforce development and business transformation.

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