AI less likely to cost Singapore's software engineers their jobs

Industry players cite strong govt support, proximity to array of tech firms as reasons

- Krist Boo Senior Business Correspondent

Singapore could emerge as the AI orchestration hub for South-east Asia, managing AI agents rather than human coders, said Mr Eugene Yang, managing director for Singapore and Hong Kong at technology consultancy Palo IT. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

(ADOBE STOCK)

Software engineers in Singapore are less likely than their global peers to lose their jobs to artificial intelligence (AI), owing to strong government support and the Republic's proximity to an array of tech firms, say talent and technology players.

The rise of vibe coding where one can build apps and websites using word commands is especially ominous for this group of computer experts.

Mr Eugene Yang, managing director for Singapore and Hong Kong at technology consultancy Palo IT, said the signs are that companies here are already reducing demand for junior developers, traditionally hired through offshore markets such as India, Vietnam, the Philippines and China.

But Singapore's smaller, more specialised tech workforce offers an opportunity.

He said: "We could emerge as the AI orchestration hub for Southeast Asia, managing AI agents rather than human coders."

Managing AI agents bots that can work and learn independently without human supervision to collaborate to accomplish complex tasks is beginning to draw attention among enterprises.