Don't let Al outpace human skills; level up HR to develop talent: SNEF president

Firms risk weakening S'pore's skills base if they adopt AI too hastily, says Tan Hee Teck

- Tay Hong Yi Correspondent

In Singapore, workforce policy changes often seem to emerge with a fully formed consensus among the Government, labour movement and employers.

But this belies strenuous negotiations behind closed doors to reach compromises, said Mr Tan Hee Teck.

"Sometimes, we bang tables," the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) president lets on with a wry smile, in a 90-minute interview with The Straits Times on Oct 31.

The leader of Singapore's employers federation declined, however, to disclose who did the table-banging or what the disputes were about, citing confidentiality.

Amid some occasional tension, the self-professed introvert exudes an unassuming wisdom, shaped by more than four decades of service spanning both the private and public sectors.

Mr Tan, 69, most recently came into the limelight after it was announced that he will replace Mr Lim Boon Heng, who stepped down as chairman of NTUC Enterprise on Oct 30. He declined to comment on his appointment to the holding entity of various businesses with roots in the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) - including Income Insurance - during this interview.

Mr Tan cautioned that firms risk weakening Singapore's skills base if they adopt artificial intelligence (AI) too hastily.

Al's growing ability to potentially supplant much of the work entry-level employees do could lead to fewer new hires, and, in turn, a smaller pool of talent to groom for future leadership something the technology itself cannot do.

"All of us need succession, so how do I replace the general manager or the senior vice-president, or the vice-president, if I've got nobody at the bottom?" he said.

This is also why he sought the theme "Forging the Future of Work Together" for SNEF's 45th anniversary event on Nov 4.