Singapore’s Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau has called on companies adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to be more transparent about the technology’s impact on their workforce. Speaking at the inaugural SG AI Xchange forum held at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) on September 17, Lau emphasized that silence from employees should not be mistaken for acceptance of AI-related changes in the workplace.
While many workers may not openly resist shifts brought about by automation and AI, Lau stressed that they still seek clarity on how these developments will affect job security and hiring plans. “Don’t take a quiet workforce for an agreeable workforce,” she said, urging business leaders to communicate clearly about any plans involving automation, retrenchments, or retraining programs. Lau noted that employees might wrongly attribute difficult business decisions to AI, highlighting the need for companies to share the full context of their strategies.
The forum was organized by the Economic Development Board (EDB), SIT, and semiconductor firm GlobalFoundries as part of a new series of events aimed at facilitating knowledge exchange between established AI Centres of Excellence and emerging industry players. The first session focused on advanced manufacturing, one of Singapore’s four national AI mission areas.
Since the start of 2024, nearly 100 AI centres of excellence have been established across various sectors including finance, manufacturing, medtech, mobility, energy, and chemicals, Lau said. These centers support innovation and integration of AI solutions tailored to specific workflows and products, helping companies accelerate their digital transformation.
Addressing concerns among workers and younger generations about AI’s potential negative effects on employment and the environment, Lau acknowledged these sentiments as valid and urged companies to use AI responsibly. “We want to use the technology for good,” she said, emphasizing that AI adoption should ultimately lead to better jobs and improved services rather than technology advancement alone.
Several industry leaders also spoke at the event. SIT President Chua Kee Chaing highlighted the importance of building AI literacy and confidence among workers, noting that effective AI adoption involves not just technical skills but broader organizational change. Tan Yew Kong, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of GlobalFoundries Singapore, compared the AI revolution to the shift from paper maps to GPS, a change that is irreversible. He stressed the importance of involving employees early in the transition process, including informing them about how their roles may evolve and the reskilling that will be necessary to avoid resistance.
Lau further called for more openness from companies about their challenges and missteps during AI implementation. While acknowledging Singapore’s typically reserved corporate culture, she encouraged firms to share difficulties they face to foster collaboration and solution-finding across the industry.
The SG AI Xchange series aims to build stronger connections between AI innovators and adopters, creating a platform for discussing technical, organizational, and workforce-related issues as Singapore continues its journey toward widespread AI adoption.