Singapore plans to train over 100,000 workers in enhancing their Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills in order to turn them “AI Bilingual” by 2029, as the country anticipates major workforce impact due to global AI adoption.
Initially, workforce from the accountancy, legal services and Human Resources (HR) sectors will be part of this training module by the Singaporean government.
Josephine Teo, the Minister for Digital Development and Information, announced the setting up of Digital Leaders Accelerator Bootcamp (DLAB) programme under the National AI Council of Singapore, in her ministry’s budget debate on Monday. The programme intends to build skills and confidence in change management, and not just tech capabilities.
“Often the technology is ready, but people are not. Not all of us can be AI engineers but we can be bilingual in AI in our own areas of expertise and to solve problems in our domains. For a start the government will support 100,000 workers to become AI bilingual. They will be pathfinders for meaningful AI upskilling for others to emulate,” said Teo.
The minister added that the Singaporean government’s focus will be on sectors that are highly exposed to AI.
“Our initial focus will be on professions that are highly exposed to AI and serve multiple industries. IMDA will work with relevant agencies and professional bodies to expand its TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme to develop AI bilingual workers in key domains. We will start with the accountancy and legal professions and extend our reach to other fields such as HR,” added Teo.
Singapore’s ambitious plans come in the wake of its Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pushing for “no jobless growth” due to AI acceleration in industries.
Singapore has one of the most AI exposed workforces in the world as according to a 2024 report ‘Impact of AI on Singapore’s Labor Market’ by International Monetary Fund, 77% of Singaporean workers are in high AI-exposure occupations compared to 60% in advanced economics and 40% in emerging markets.
On Monday, PM Wong and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung signed five memorandum of understandings (MoUs) between Singapore and Korea for nuclear power generation, AI, quantum computing and space satellites.
