NTUC secretary-general wants tech, AI adoption accelerated
Singapore is being urged to accelerate the adoption of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) across businesses to turn disruption into an advantage for the economy.
Ng Chee Meng, secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said the adoption of tech and AI across businesses and the workforce will raise productivity and create good, sustainable jobs.
But Ng, as reported by the NTUC, stressed that adoption should be fair and just, with policies in place to protect workers amid change and prevent inequalities.
Recognising potential disruption
The secretary-general's remarks are part of his speech on embracing innovation at the 10th St Gallen Symposium Singapore Forum on Thursday.
"Since we live in this world, we might as well embrace the disruption. Look upon the opportunities and seize those opportunities," Ng said as quoted by the NTUC.
He said there are four key disruptive forces affecting Singapore, including geopolitical instability, a shift towards deglobalisation, technological disruption, and demographic shifts.
According to Ng, these disruptions raise questions about how Singapore safeguards national security and diplomatic space. It also brings up concerns about social cohesion, and how Singapore can ensure it remains economically relevant.
Last year, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong acknowledged the potential disruption of AI adoption in workplaces, and pledged to put people first in its implementation.
"I assure you: even as we embrace AI and technology, we will not lose sight of our key priority," Wong said in his National Day Rally speech.
"Singaporeans will always be at the centre of everything we do. So we will not just rush headlong to adopt new technology."
Singapore is one of the leading countries when it comes to AI adoption in workplaces, with the latest Indeed Hiring Lab report indicating a 1.7 times increase in job ads mentioning generative AI in the job description.
