HR Tech Update: Measuring belonging without compromising trust
Belonging has emerged as a key workforce indicator, closely linked to engagement, retention, and performance. As organisations seek to measure belonging, HR technology offers new tools to capture insight at scale. However, collecting this data raises concerns about surveillance and trust. In 2026, HR teams are challenged to measure belonging in ways that respect employee […]
The First Word: Moving AI from personal chatbots to shared workflows
Singapore has spent the last two years building real momentum around AI adoption. Policymakers, employers, educators, and workers are increasingly aligned on the importance of AI capability in shaping workforce competitiveness. The national intent is clear, the funding is there, and awareness of AI among the working population has never been higher. What is less […]
HR Tech Update: Accessibility-first HR technology in emerging markets
Accessibility has become an increasingly important consideration as HR technology reaches more diverse employee populations across Southeast Asia. In emerging markets, differences in language, digital literacy, and infrastructure can create barriers to participation if systems are not designed inclusively. In 2026, HR professionals are recognising that accessibility-first design is not a specialised requirement, but a […]
HR Tech Update: Pride Month and the limits of inclusive HR platforms
Pride Month has become a focal point for conversations about inclusion in many Southeast Asian workplaces. HR platforms often play a visible role during this period, highlighting diversity initiatives and tracking participation. However, the presence of inclusive features does not always translate into inclusive experiences. In 2026, HR and learning teams are increasingly examining the […]
The First Word: Driving HR transformation in 2026
For years, HR transformation was judged by whether the platform went live. Forms were digitised, core HR moved to the cloud and self-service tools were introduced. Those investments mattered, but in 2026, they are no longer enough. The real test is whether employees, managers and HR teams can use these systems to make work easier. […]
HR Tech Update: Supporting employee identity through responsible HR tech
Employee identity is becoming a more visible consideration in HR technology as organisations seek to create inclusive and respectful workplaces. Across Southeast Asia, HR systems increasingly capture data related to gender, background, and personal circumstances, often with the intention of improving inclusion. At the same time, this raises important questions around privacy, consent, and trust. […]
The First Word: Securing real-time digital trust systems
Cyber sports and esports were never meant to behave like traditional sports. They are always on, globally distributed and natively digital, with every movement, interaction and outcome existing first as data before becoming a viewing experience, competitive moment or commercial transaction. In Asia-Pacific, where esports accounts for well over half of the world’s audience and […]
HR Tech Update: Strengthening payroll resilience through technology
Payroll remains one of the most critical and sensitive HR functions across Southeast Asia. Errors or delays have immediate consequences for employee trust and organisational credibility. As workforces become more complex, payroll resilience has emerged as a key priority for HR technology investment. In 2026, payroll is no longer viewed as a purely administrative process. […]
HR Tech Update: Workforce risk analytics beyond turnover metrics
Turnover has long been used as a primary indicator of workforce risk. While important, it offers a limited view of organisational health. Across Southeast Asia, HR and learning teams are recognising the need for broader analytics that capture earlier signals of risk related to engagement, capability, and sustainability. In 2026, workforce risk analytics are evolving […]
The First Word: Why deep reading matters more in an AI-driven world
Young people now encounter more words than perhaps any generation before them. They read captions, messages, subtitles, slides, search results, prompts, summaries and AI-generated explanations throughout the day. In one sense, they are reading all the time. What is less clear is whether this constant exposure to language is making them better readers. It may […]
