Firms of all sizes will get help to harness AI, redesign jobs

Government will ensure that workers benefit from the shift, says PM Wong

- Syarafana Shafeeq

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to raise productivity and create new value in the economy is a game changer, and every company, big or small, stands to benefit from it, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Therefore, the Government will help all enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), harness AI effectively and use it to sharpen their competitive edge, he said on Aug 17.

"AI is not just for the big players," PM Wong said, noting that AI will be a defining technology of this time.

Adopting new technologies across the economy was how Singapore transformed in the past, and will be how Singapore plans to ride the AI wave going forward, he said.

He acknowledged that many people worry that AI would replace entire jobs. But he assured Singaporeans that the Government will make sure workers benefit from the shift.

Even as the country embraces AI, the Government will not lose sight of its key priority to ensure citizens have jobs, and will work closely with unions to redesign jobs and help workers, he said.

"Singaporeans will always be at the centre of everything we do. So, we won't just rush headlong to adopt new technology," he said.