Embrace AI and tech, or be displaced by those who do: Tan See Leng

[drdoof]

ST GALLEN, Switzerland – People who have embraced artificial intelligence (AI) and technology will displace those who have not, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng to an international audience on May 2. This is why Singapore is investing $1 billion over the next five years into a national AI strategy to develop the industry and equip people with the needed skills.

"Our people are our only, singular resource. And if you look at every single level of our workforce, we try to make sure that there's a level playing field, we provide an equal level of opportunity for them," Dr Tan said at a panel discussion on the economic impact of demographic shifts.

"Of course, no one can guarantee that everyone can come up with an equal outcome, but at least for starters, we level the playing field for everyone."

Dr Tan was speaking at the 53rd St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, alongside fellow panellists Laura Jorde, who is managing director of vocational education and training at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Peter Voser, who chairs Swiss engineering group ABB.

The symposium is an annual student-run conference taking place in May at the University of St Gallen. It hosts inter-generational debates on economic, political and social developments.

Dr Tan, who is also Second Minister for Trade and Industry, said the Singapore Government is working with companies to set up AI centres of excellence to equip people with skills in the area. Institutes of higher learning, such as universities, polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education, also have courses to ensure students are adept in AI.

Dr Tan said these moves are part of wider efforts to overcome Singapore's manpower constraints by investing significantly in its people and welcoming foreign talent. For instance, Singapore subsidises early childhood education through to postgraduate studies and adult learning, and launched the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass to attract top talent, he said.

The panellists also spoke about what companies can do in the face of constant tech developments.

Mr Voser, who is also chairman of Singapore port operator PSA, said companies should invest in training employees to use AI at the same time they are developing their technologies. "If you give money into the R&D (research and development) to develop the project, look at your HR (human resources) side exactly the same way – you give R&D money to develop your people."

With an ageing population in Europe, around 50 million people will retire over the next decade, he said. But he added that this is a problem automation can tackle, if skills training for the workforce can keep pace with it.

Mr Voser added that the need to "get that equation right" has become more urgent with tech disruptions like ChatGPT, which has swept the world after it was launched just 18 months ago. He compared this with traditional product cycles of five to 10 years, from when a product is introduced into the market until it is removed from shelves.

"Therefore, companies need to adapt their system in a much faster way, re-train people, reskill them at the same time they develop the technology," he said.

"Automation and robotics will not replace people. There will just be different ones with different skills," he added.

He gave the example of how PSA is building the fully automated Tuas Port, which is due to be completed in 2040, and has re-trained workers to work in the control room instead of in the port itself.

[Arctic]

So this TSL, has he embraced AI and tech? What IT course he took up and applied in his work and daily life?

[drdoof]

So this TSL, has he embraced AI and tech? What IT course he took up and applied in his work and daily life?

Need to replace him with AI first

[jim889]

we already embrace ai here
 

[sTiCkY]

we already embrace ai here
 

DASD-617

[default]

Actually this is v real, if u all rem i raised this in a thread not too long ago abt hw future gen gg to survive.

The part abt the product cycle and how AI last time was just a dream but now within less than 3 yrs, tsl say 18 mths, alr displaced many workers esp those in tech.

Now is only more of those automation still waiting for that quantum leap. Like delivery, packing for example. Altho already got but its not so fully automated, the entire process like say cooking, coffee barista... like the what boston dynamics type of company. But can see every industry moving towards fully automation and machine learning

AI/ML basically cut many jobs in writing, graphics, even coding...

In the foreseeable future, for sure still need these jobs but cannot say for sure 20 yrs down the road when the tech is super mature.

1.5 yrs alr displaced so many people

[default]

Those rly still safe at the moment probably are jobs that need interaction or highly specialised like research, doctors, nurses.

Otherwise for engineers, need to be at top of their game

[drdoof]

Those rly still safe at the moment probably are jobs that need interaction or highly specialised like research, doctors, nurses.

Otherwise for engineers, need to be at top of their game

Safe jobs would probably be security guard, cleaner, food delivery

[Magical Fingertip]

Let ai  clean toilet rah