Navigating tech disruptions

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 28, 2026

A recent survey of Singaporean youth reveals that nearly 40% fear AI will threaten entry-level jobs and over half worry about keeping their skills relevant amid rapid technological changes. In response, the SG Youth Plan aims to equip young people with both AI literacy and essential human skills to help them adapt and thrive in a technology-driven economy.

Concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) disrupting entry-level employment and rendering certain skills obsolete are increasingly prevalent among young Singaporeans, according to recent findings from a nationwide youth survey. Nearly 40 percent of respondents view AI as a threat to job opportunities, while more than half expressed anxiety about maintaining relevant skills amid rapid technological change.

The data was gathered as part of the SG Youth Plan, a five-year strategy developed by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Youth Council (NYC). The plan incorporates feedback from over 60,000 youths aged 15 to 35 to address the evolving career landscape shaped by technological advancements.

Janelle Ling, 23, a recent graduate from Nanyang Technological University with a degree in communication studies, exemplifies these concerns. Aspiring to direct long-form documentaries, she fears AI may reduce demand for roles linked to content creation. “I worry companies will budget less for certain roles like social media writing because they believe they can just use AI for it, or hire someone for less money because they can use AI to write,” Ling said.

Industry voices caution against viewing AI solely as a job killer. Francois Lancon, regional president for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at ManpowerGroup, acknowledges the unease but advises young professionals to focus on adapting to AI-driven workplace transformations rather than anticipating widespread job losses. Employers continue to value not only AI-related skills, such as AI literacy and application development, but also essential soft skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

To address emerging skill demands, the SG Youth Plan aims to cultivate “AI bilingualism,” defined as the integration of human strengths with effective AI utilization across diverse fields. This approach is designed to enhance employability by equipping youth with the ability to collaborate effectively with technology, rather than compete against it.

Lancon emphasized that competitive advantage will stem less from mere access to technology and more from combining technical expertise with human capabilities such as judgment, communication, creativity, and leadership. The plan’s initiatives seek to prepare young Singaporeans to navigate the complexities of a tech-driven economy by promoting this complementary skill set.

As AI continues to reshape various industries, the coordinated effort by government and industry stakeholders reflects a proactive attempt to mitigate disruption and empower the next generation of professionals.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.