Singapore’s small size gives it an edge in building AI-ready workforce: Gan Kim Yong

SINGAPORE – Being small can be an advantage for Singapore in the global race to build an artificial intelligence-ready workforce, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.

“Being very compact, (it) is a lot easier for us to push down this training and upgrading programme on AI and AI literacy. In countries with huge populations, it’s a lot harder to do so,” he said.

He was speaking during a fireside chat alongside DBS chief executive Tan Su Shan on day one of the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025 at Singapore Expo.

Singapore wants to look at AI at three different levels, Mr Gan said.

At the first level, Singapore wants to make sure companies, big or small, and their customers have a basic understanding of AI, he said.

The second level will involve developing capabilities to integrate AI into business systems. “These are AI system integrators. They look at the business and see how to make use of AI to level up the business.”

The third and highest level involves developing new technology, applications and tools, he said.

Singapore was one of the first countries with an AI game plan. The Republic

launched the National AI Strategy 2.0

in 2023 – an updated version of its plans to expand the use of AI.

Mr Gan stressed the need for workers to undergo training, adding that companies have to treat training as a form of investment in their workforce.

“We have to make time, and the Government has put a lot of investment in training and upgrading. We have to accept that training and upgrading are investments, and investment will cost you time away from your jobs,” he said.

Companies should take responsibility for allowing workers to go for training and upgrading, and believe that this investment will yield returns for both the workers and companies in future, Mr Gan said.

Employees also have a responsibility to train and upgrade themselves without depending on others to push them, he noted.

On keeping skills relevant, Mr Gan said jobs will always evolve and people should constantly plan ahead to adapt to the future of work.

“If you are still doing the same thing you were doing five years ago, I think you are at risk,” he said.

“If we are able to keep our workers and our skills relevant, I think they will be able to adapt, evolve together with the evolution of jobs.”