New study under newly launched university-level institute
Singapore Management University (SMU) has launched a major research effort to map how artificial intelligence is reshaping jobs in Singapore, as part of a new institute set up to help the workforce adapt to rapid technological change.
The flagship systemic research project, led by professor Li Jia, Dean of the School of Economics, will create what SMU describes as Singapore's leading "reproducible, transparent, and publicly accessible index" measuring AI exposure in new job vacancies across occupations, industries and worker segments.
The work will analyse job advertisements and task requirements over time to track how AI-related skills and task demands are evolving, with the aim of guiding workforce planning, reskilling programs, and employment policy.
The project is funded by a $450,000 contribution from digital infrastructure company Equinix. According to SMU, this is the first corporate-funded research initiative under its newly launched Resilient Workforces Institute (ResWORK).
"By partnering with SMU on its Resilient Workforce initiative, we're investing in research that will help position Singapore as a regional leader on AI and the future of work, informing the design of targeted policies like reskilling programs," said Equinix Singapore managing director Leong Yee May.
New research institute
SMU's new ResWORK is a university-level research institute on workforce resilience and lifelong learning in the age of AI.
The institute has been launched with $5 million in SMU funding over five years, with a target of raising an additional $8 million in external research funding within three years to scale its programs.
Archan Misra, SMU vice-provost (research) and interim director of ResWORK, said the institute's mission is to focus on solutions rather than just analysis as AI transforms work.
"ResWORK is built on the belief that AI-led change will reshape opportunity rather than displace it. Our research agenda is designed to move beyond diagnosis to solutioning – working with government agencies, employers, and other partners to generate evidence that informs policy, organisational practice, and lifelong learning systems," Misra said.
