In Southeast Asia, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is widely recognised as a key driver of economic growth. AI-powered tools are being adopted across various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, education, and media. Beyond industry applications, AI is also transforming organisations internally, particularly in talent management and workforce development. Businesses are leveraging AI to enhance adaptability and maintain competitiveness in the digital economy.
For a digital society, the use of AI and AI-powered tools is particularly important due to their impact on the labour force. AI is expected to enhance productivity across industries. A recent study on the impact of generative AI on highly skilled workers reveals that, when used within its capabilities, AI can enhance worker performance by nearly 40% compared to those who do not utilise it.
However, there are associated risks. Research by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that AI could replace 40% of jobs worldwide. The impact of AI however is not only on job displacement. There are also concerns regarding the use of AI in talent management, including hiring processes, personnel transitions, and workplace changes. One key issue for example is AI bias, which stems from the quality of training data and poses risks of discrimination and unfair outcomes. Additionally, data privacy remains a pressing challenge, as AI systems increasingly depend on collection and analysis of personal data when it comes to workforce management.
Recognising the significance of this discussion, the Tech for Good Institute participated in a panel at LinkedIn’s Talent Connect Asia, titled “How AI Can Expand Economic Mobility and Workforce Inclusion.” Experts from the public and private sectors shared their insights on leveraging AI as a catalyst for economic mobility and workforce inclusion.
Moderator and Panellists
- Aneesh Raman, Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, Linkedin
- Hanyan Goh, Director, National AI Group and Smart Nation Strategy Office, MDDI
- Ming Tan, Founding Executive Director, Tech for Good Institute
Key Takeaways:
1. Enhancing AI accessibility through upskilling initiatives is essential for fostering an inclusive workforce.
AI has the potential to impact up to 60% of jobs globally, making inclusion and accessibility essential. Ensuring equitable access to AI tools enables individuals across diverse demographics to actively participate in the digital economy. Equally important is upskilling, particularly for younger generations, to equip them for an AI-driven job market. In Singapore, significant commitments are being made to enhance AI accessibility. This includes a $20 million investment over the next three years to expand SG Digital Scholarships and overseas internships in AI roles, along with up to $500 million dedicated to securing high-performance computing resources for AI innovation and capability building. Additionally, Singapore recognises the value of initiatives centred on “Tech for Education” and “Education for Tech.” The former refers to leveraging digital solutions to advance education and literacy goals, while the latter focuses on enhancing society’s understanding of digital technologies.
2. As AI reshapes hiring, recognising human skills will be more important.
AI is set to reshape hiring practices, requiring talent managers to be mindful of the risks associated with its deployment in personnel management and talent development. While AI can enhance efficiency, it may struggle to recognise qualities such as creativity, curiosity, courage, compassion, and communication, which are essential characteristics that talent managers must actively identify and nurture within their teams. Traditionally, conventional work systems have valued knowledge derived from educational backgrounds or prestigious qualifications as ‘hard skills,’ while social and emotional abilities have been considered ‘soft skills. However, as AI increasingly replicates intellectual and knowledge-based aspects of work, human skills are becoming the new “hard skills.” Fostering an innovation mindset, one which allows people to challenge the status quo, encourages collaboration, and drives collective progress, will be crucial in this evolving landscape.
3. Cross-sector partnerships will be essential in creating an environment that enables the effective use of AI for economic mobility.
Long-term economic mobility depends not only on short-term productivity gains but also on fostering a resilient and creative workforce. Both the private and public sectors play a vital role in shaping AI’s development for societal benefit, with cross-sector partnerships being essential for AI innovation. These collaborations enable diverse stakeholders to pool resources, expertise, and perspectives to address shared challenges. Equally important is the development of capabilities across the talent pool to ensure a balanced approach between the missed use and misuse of AI. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills, societies can maximise AI’s potential while mitigating risks. Ultimately, while the private sector drives economic mobility and opportunity, the government plays a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for sustainable growth.
