S'poreans Urged to Become 'Fluent' in AI to Thrive in the Digital Economy

Such talents will be pathfinders, pace-setters for meaningful AI adoption everywhere: Minister

- Lee Li Ying

Becoming "fluent" in artificial intelligence (AI) will make Singaporean workers highly valued, as well as benefit firms of all sizes in the Republic.

Likening AI to a new "national language", and workers' main skills and domain knowledge to a "mother tongue" they have already mastered, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said that Singapore needs more "bilingual" AI talent.

"We believe that such bilingual AI talents will be highly valued, and building them up represents a real opportunity for Singapore. They will be pathfinders and pace-setters for meaningful AI adoption everywhere," Mrs Teo said on Aug 29.

She was speaking as guest of honour at the Tech3 Forum 2025, which was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.

This push for more Singaporeans to become adept at AI — even those who are working in non-tech roles — comes amid a growing digital economy that is increasingly powered by it.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his recent National Day Rally speech that AI is a game changer that will benefit every company big or small. The Government will help all enterprises harness AI effectively and ensure citizens have jobs.

To nurture AI fluency among Singaporeans, Mrs Teo said the Government will help enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, adopt AI-enabled solutions and train more bilingual AI talent in their companies.

Mrs Teo pointed out that AI-trained practitioners need the input of their colleagues in other departments to deploy tech solutions with meaningful business outcomes.