Singaporeans might not be keeping pace with the global push toward Generative AI (GenAI) adoption, as revealed by the Decoding Global Talent 2024 report.
Despite GenAI’s widespread potential to revolutionise industries, only 53% of Singaporean talent are willing to reskill to stay relevant in the AI era – significantly lower than the 63% recorded across Southeast Asia.
Overall, Singaporean talent would consider reskilling only if necessary (41%), compared to their counterparts in Southeast Asia (32%). This reluctance to embrace reskilling comes at a time when the use of GenAI in both professional and personal contexts is on the rise, yet Singapore’s workforce appears hesitant to fully engage with the AI revolution.
These insights stem from a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), The Network, of which Jobstreet by SEEK is a part of, and The Stepstone Group. The study is based on survey data from more than 150,000 respondents in the workforce spanning 188 countries.
Room for growth for GenAI usage in Singapore
The report reveals that while 60% of Singaporean talent have tried GenAI in their work or personal life, only 43% of Singaporean talent use it monthly – just on par with Southeast Asia’s 44%.
While the high adoption rate can be attributed to Singapore’s National AI Strategy (NAIS 2.0), a significant portion of Singaporean talent (40%) still remain unfamiliar with GenAI’s capabilities. Although Singapore has a promising base for GenAI usage, there is considerable room for growth which both employers and employees can contribute to.
The impact of GenAI in Singapore
Despite a reluctance to reskill, talent in Singapore have concerns about the effects of GenAI with regards to job security and displacement of roles, with only 19% believing GenAI will not affect their job. Further, 22% of Singaporean talent also expect major impacts that will eliminate or transform their jobs significantly, slightly lower compared to the regional figure of 29%.
However, GenAI’s ability to reduce non-essential tasks (60%) and improve work quality (45%) is widely recognised by Singaporean talent as its biggest benefits – yet, its use for meeting deadlines and improving speed remains underutilised (32%).
This lags behind both their Southeast Asian (44%) and global peers (45%), highlighting the need for a greater focus on practical applications of GenAI in increasing productivity.
What Challenges are holding Singaporeans back from embracing GenAI?
Despite an interest in using GenAI, challenges such as difficulty in writing prompts and having a lack of skills are putting off local talent from fully leveraging GenAI’s capabilities, with 37% citing this as a significant roadblock.
This figure is notably higher than the regional average of 33% and the global average of 30%, suggesting that Singaporean workers lack the necessary skills or support in utilising GenAI, which hinders the effective use of GenAI.
Low priority in improving advanced digital skills and understanding new trends
When it comes to reskilling, Singaporean talent appears more focused on traditional skills, namely improving analytical skills (46%), functional and job-specific skills (35%), and project management (27%).
Meanwhile, advanced digital skills (like software development and AI) and understanding new trends (like AI, advancement in science) rank much lower in priority, at 22% and 19% respectively.
“AI’s impact is undeniable, and it is essential for both individuals and employers in Singapore to start taking proactive steps in reskilling and future-proofing our workforce,” said Vic Sithasanan, Acting Managing Director, Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore.
“The Decoding Global Talent 2024 report has shown a pressing need for more Singaporeans to actively engage and build the skills needed in today’s evolving AI-driven economy.
“Employers also play a crucial role in bridging this gap by offering clear guidance and accessible learning opportunities, as aligned with Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 strategy. Without this ongoing support and drive to reskill, local talent will struggle to adapt professionally in the evolving AI landscape.”
As Singapore navigates the AI revolution, there is a crucial role for employers to play in supporting their workforce’s transition. The report finds that 51% of Singaporean talent expressed a need for more guidance on what skills to learn, while 46% highlighted the need for better learning courses. Furthermore, 36% pointed to the need for more employer support in adopting GenAI in the workplace.
These findings reveal an opportunity for Singaporean employers to bridge the GenAI skills gap by offering targeted training and raising awareness of the specific skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven future. With proactive efforts from companies, Singapore’s workforce can better position itself for the demands of tomorrow.
