Singapore Embraces AI with Focus on Worker Protection

In a move that highlights the evolving relationship between technology and employment, Singapore’s government announced plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) not as a job destroyer but as a tool for enhanced productivity and new opportunities. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined this vision in his National Day message ahead of Singapore’s 61st independence anniversary.

Government-Led AI Initiatives

The prime minister emphasized that Singapore is actively using AI to boost efficiency while ensuring workers benefit from these advancements. The government is examining how to best integrate AI across industries and trade sectors, aiming to maintain the nation’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape.

“New breakthroughs are creating opportunities we couldn’t have imagined just years ago,” Wong stated. “We will embrace these advances on our own terms while ensuring they serve Singaporean workers and businesses.”

Shifting Business Sentiment on AI

The announcement comes amid a broader shift in how business leaders view AI’s impact on employment. Recent surveys indicate declining concerns about widespread job losses due to automation.

According to EY-Parthenon research, the percentage of CEOs expecting major job displacement from AI has fallen from 46% in early 2025 to just 20% in May. Economists suggest this reflects a more nuanced understanding of how AI is transforming work rather than eliminating it entirely.

Real-World Evidence of AI Creating Jobs

Beyond surveys, concrete data shows companies investing heavily in AI are actually expanding their workforce. A study by Ramp and Revelio Labs found that firms with the largest AI investments increased staffing levels by roughly 10%.

These new roles often require a combination of technical expertise and domain knowledge to effectively implement AI solutions within specific business contexts—positions that didn’t exist just a few years ago but now represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the labor market.