The evolution of Singapore as a nation has been remarkable, one led by a combination of visionary leadership, sound policies and an ability to adopt to global changes. The next 60 years will be different, one that is purpose driven, led with innovation with a conscious balance of doing good as well as doing well.
Organisations need to respond quickly to the changes in the tech landscape. As evidently with Generative AI (GenAI), we have seen how the advancement in emerging technology will continue to shape the next generation in how we work and play. In Singapore, AI-assisted learning tools are already integrated in schools which further emphasise the need to provide adequate learning resources and environments for the new workforce to adapt. Thus, business leaders play a critical role in ensuring their workplaces are resilient, agile, and prepared for the demands of tomorrow.
Organisations need to future-proof their workplace by focusing on three key priorities: fostering a culture of continuous learning, embracing Human-AI integration, and enhancing employee well-being.
Fostering A Culture of Learning
Singapore has established itself as a successful cosmopolitan, built on its skilled workforce. To ensure that the city remains agile to economic uncertainty, lifelong learning has been the priority as reiterated in this year’s Budget 2025 announcement.
The rapid pace of technological advancements and shifting industry trends make upskilling and reskilling essential. Leaders must cultivate a learning culture that encourages employees to develop new competencies and adapt to change. In an increasing AI-driven world, this means integrating AI enabled platforms to personalised learning experiences, leveraging data to tailor skills development programs and mentorship programs to help employees stay competitive.
A workforce that prioritises lifelong learning remains agile and better equipped to navigate disruptions.
In addition, enhancements to programs such as SkillsFuture will make upskilling more accessible for companies of all sizes. Increased allowances and improved flexibility will enable Singaporeans to tailor training programs to their specific needs. Simplifying grants and schemes through SkillsFuture initiatives aims to streamline access to workforce transformation support, addressing the complexities that companies may face when navigating existing schemes.
Embracing Human-AI Integration
The increasing adoption of AI in the workplace, employees are no longer confined to repetitive manual tasks. NTT DATA’s Technology Foresight Report, shows that employees spend close to 50% of their workday on menial tasks. Implementing an enhanced-humans strategy will drastically cut down on this time, delivering significant efficiency gains. For example, reducing the time people spend on searches by 30 minutes daily could save an organisation with 1,000 employees over SGD $2 million annually. However, as human-AI collaboration continues to evolve, organisations need to ensure that these deployments are secure and responsible by design.
Cybersecurity has become a fundamental concern for all businesses. The same report cited above, found that while 90% of organisations are exploring large language models (LLM) use cases, only 5% feel highly confident in their AI security preparedness, underscoring the urgency of addressing security vulnerabilities. The Singapore Cybersecurity Health Report from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), revealed that when it comes to the reasons for non-adoption of cybersecurity measures, organisations cited a lack of knowledge or experience as the top challenge. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable, as they often have limited resources to devote to cybersecurity yet face an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving threat landscape.
With this limitation, leaders need to strengthen the need for cybersecurity awareness among employees especially when it comes to implementing emerging technologies such as AI. By equipping employees with the necessary knowledge and skills, they can now effectively identify and mitigate cyberthreats, serving as a crucial first line of defence.
Enhancing Employee Well-being
While organisations are embracing changes with AI, they need to ensure that these tools supplement their work and utilising them requires deep understanding of its ethical usage. To support this, organisational leaders need to create an open and safe environment for employees to share their concerns and provide a platform to reaffirm their value in the organisation. Embracing more human-AI integrated outcomes require a healthy and engaged workforce.
Employees are still one of the most valuable assets of any successful organisation. Prioritising employee well-being goes beyond traditional benefits; it includes mental health support, flexible work arrangements, and a culture that promotes work-life balance. By fostering an environment where employees feel valued and supported, organisations can boost retention, productivity, and overall morale. Investing in well-being initiatives ultimately leads to a more resilient and committed workforce which better understand the importance of security and ethics in an AI-world. Once organisations lay the foundations for these two factors, a more engaged workforce will better understand the direction of having these changes in response to the tech landscape.
Cultivating a Versatile and Proficient Tech Workforce
The transformation of Singapore’s tech industry presents both challenges and opportunities. The evolving digital economy calls for continuous skills development at multiple levels. Many companies are providing that opportunity to build on that breadth and depth of tech skills through upskilling courses, mentoring programs, and talent development frameworks.
Digital literacy is now a baseline requirement, enabling professionals to operate digital tools and platforms with confidence. However, true digital fluency goes beyond basic literacy—it involves applying critical thinking in digital scenarios, adapting seamlessly to new technologies, and developing an all-rounded grasp on human-tech skills and knowledge.
As we look to the future, it’s evident that the intersection of human talent and technological innovation will be the driving force behind business success, and organisations who prioritise lifelong learning, upskilling, and uplifting employee’s well-being will be best positioned to thrive in the years to come.
About the author
Png Kim Meng is currently the CEO of NTT DATA Singapore Inc. He is responsible for the company’s overall strategic development and Profit & Loss of NTT DATA Inc. With over 30 years of IT industry experience, Kim Meng has held several key management positions in the company including Head of Sales, Solutions and Services. Kim Meng holds a Master of Business Administration in Business from University of Hull, United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
