{"id":61607,"date":"2026-06-18T06:17:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T22:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=61607"},"modified":"2026-06-18T06:17:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T22:17:59","slug":"vietnam-workers-keenest-on-ai-in-south-east-asia-singapore-employees-among-most-sceptical-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=61607","title":{"rendered":"Vietnam workers keenest on AI in South-east Asia; Singapore employees among most sceptical: survey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"article-description\">The Republic\u2019s labour force doubts AI\u2019s productive capacity, and is wary about its impact on job security<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"article-body-container\">\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">[SINGAPORE] Workers in Vietnam are among the world\u2019s most frequent users of artificial intelligence, and the most optimistic in South-east Asia about the impact of AI on their jobs, a survey by multinational human resource service provider Automatic Data Processing (ADP) has found.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">And new data provided by ADP to <em>The Business Times<\/em> indicates that Singapore workers are far more sceptical about the impact of AI on their daily productivity than their regional peers. They are also the most wary in South-east Asia about the potential of AI to disrupt their job security.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/only-15-workers-singapore-feel-their-jobs-are-safe-amid-ai-driven-anxieties-survey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">survey findings<\/a>, released in May, came from a poll of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets worldwide; of the total, 13,136 respondents were from the Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In the broader Asia-Pacific region, ADP told <em>BT <\/em>that many emerging markets are generally more optimistic than developed markets about the potential for AI to have a positive impact on their jobs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Jessica Zhang, senior vice-president for the Asia-Pacific in ADP, said at a media briefing on Wednesday (Jun 17) that emerging markets in Asia are typically more willing to adopt AI technologies than more developed countries such as Australia and Singapore, which tend to be more prudent in their use of AI.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">\u201cWhen a lot of things are new (in emerging markets), you see people adapt to them faster,\u201d she said. \u201cWorkers in more mature markets like Singapore want to see proof that productivity is improving before confidence levels rise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In Singapore, just 15 per cent of workers strongly agreed that AI would have a positive effect on their job responsibilities in the coming year. This was the lowest level of optimism among five South-east Asian markets surveyed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In Vietnam, 29 per cent of workers express high optimism, followed by Thailand and Indonesia (both at 23 per cent), and the Philippines, with 19 per cent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">\u201cAdoption alone does not guarantee meaningful workplace impact in Singapore,\u201d said Zhang.<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"component-container\" class=\"container px-0 no-print\">\n<div class=\"no-print mb-6 mt-8 border border-gray-175 p-6 md:-mx-8 md:mt-0 md:p-8\" data-testid=\"article-read-more-component\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-6 border-b border-gray-250 pb-4 font-poppins text-4xs font-medium tracking-widest text-gray-515\">SEE ALSO<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"section-article-read-more\">\n<div class=\"mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-read-more-individual-card-component\">\n<div data-testid=\"basic-card-component\" data-cueid=\"9216075\" class=\"relative flex flex-wrap items-start gap-4\">\n<div class=\"relative w-[70px] lg:w-[90px] aspect-3x2 order-1 flex-shrink-0\">\n<div class=\"w-full overflow-hidden relative flex\" data-testid=\"article-thumbnail-component\"><a class=\"block h-full w-full\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/international\/ai-splitting-job-market-two-pwc-study?ref=article-see-also\" data-discover=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"relative z-10 h-full w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/businesstimes\/4fc5382741ec36d47dfc20ed167236e53e024b345e06275bd74460053e64cbb0?w=240&amp;dpr=1&amp;f=webp\" alt=\"Jobs that can use AI to amplify human skills such as creativity and judgment are rising the fastest.\" width=\"4000\" height=\"2666\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-read-more-individual-card-component\">\n<div data-testid=\"basic-card-component\" data-cueid=\"9218773\" class=\"relative flex flex-wrap items-start gap-4\">\n<div class=\"relative w-[70px] lg:w-[90px] aspect-3x2 order-1 flex-shrink-0\">\n<div class=\"w-full overflow-hidden relative flex\" data-testid=\"article-thumbnail-component\"><a class=\"block h-full w-full\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/lifestyle\/health-wellness\/singapore-workers-experiencing-rising-anxiety-signs-fallout-pressure-use-ai?ref=article-see-also\" data-discover=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"relative z-10 h-full w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/businesstimes\/8a6bafbe59e999fe8b05eae33024d4ab0f5e22ce9c784393dfb7b03539b5ec5a?w=240&amp;dpr=1&amp;f=webp\" alt=\"Those whose employers actively discourage the use of AI at work have the lowest mental health score.\" width=\"5472\" height=\"3648\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Globally, the survey found that workers using AI are four times more likely to feel less productive in their work compared to non-users, suggesting that frequent users feel as if they have achieved less through the use of AI in day-to-day tasks, said ADP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Zhang said that workers may need to identify the situations in which AI can drive productivity gains within workflows, and employers may need to set clearer performance expectations and invest more in training for AI-related skills.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">However, respondents from Singapore appeared doubtful about their employers\u2019 willingness to develop their workers; just 13 per cent said they \u201cstrongly agree\u201d that their employer invests in the skills they need to advance their careers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">This was the lowest among the five South-east Asian markets surveyed, with the workers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam coming in at between 21 and 25 per cent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In terms of generative AI usage, Vietnam had the highest rate among the South-east Asian markets surveyed, with 36 per cent of workers saying they used such tools \u201cnearly every day\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The country\u2019s usage rates stand among the highest in the world. It is second among the 36 markets surveyed, behind India, where 41 per cent of the workforce uses AI daily.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Conversely, just 8 per cent of Japan\u2019s workers use such technologies every day, the lowest among all markets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In South-east Asia, the Philippines had the lowest rate at 22 per cent, slightly below Singapore\u2019s 23 per cent.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"-tracking-5% mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"heading-component\">Job security<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In South-east Asia, workers have increasingly raised concerns about job security as employers increasingly turn towards AI tools to <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/international\/ai-splitting-job-market-two-pwc-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">perform tasks that were previously done manually<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Entire industries, such as that of <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/international\/asean\/amid-threats-philippines-spends-millions-upskill-outsourcing-workers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">business process outsourcing<\/a> in the Philippines, face the threat of <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/international\/asean\/asean-already-economically-divided-ai-will-make-it-worse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">worker displacement<\/a> by AI tools, even as governments <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/economy-policy\/ai-transition-must-safeguard-and-empower-workers-support-firms-ng-chee-meng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">step up efforts<\/a> to safeguard worker interests as AI-driven growth accelerates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Singapore\u2019s national push to <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/economy-policy\/ai-strategic-advantage-singapore-harnessed-well\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strongly integrate AI<\/a> into its growth strategy has raised fears among its workforce, with ADP finding that only 15 per cent of Singaporean workers say they strongly agree that their jobs are safe from displacement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">This is the lowest in the region, with 24 per cent of Thailand\u2019s workers expressing confidence in their job security, followed by 23 per cent in the Philippines, 20 per cent in Indonesia and 18 per cent in Vietnam.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The Republic has pushed to <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/economy-policy\/ai-strategic-advantage-singapore-harnessed-well\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adopt AI as a national strategy<\/a> to drive its next phase of economic growth, while committing to <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/economy-policy\/ai-transition-must-safeguard-and-empower-workers-support-firms-ng-chee-meng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">anchor this transition<\/a> in worker inclusivity and upskilling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Its upcoming chairmanship of Asean in 2027 is to be centred on <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/international\/singapore-advance-ai-agenda-asean-chair-focus-cross-border-data-flows-smaller-firms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pushing greater adoption of AI<\/a> in the regional economy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Among subgroups of the region\u2019s workforce \u2013 broken down into knowledge workers, skilled-task workers and repetitive-task workers \u2013 Singapore\u2019s repetitive task workers were the least confident in their job security.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In this subgroup, just 10 per cent of workers believe their job is safe from disruption by AI; the rates for such workers in the other four South-east Asian countries are between 12 and 18 per cent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6 inline-block\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Among knowledge workers in Thailand and the Philippines, 31 and 30 per cent, respectively, believe that AI would not displace their employment. The figure in Singapore is just 21 per cent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/international\/asean\/vietnam-workers-keenest-ai-south-east-asia-singapore-employees-among-most-sceptical-survey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Republic\u2019s labour force doubts AI\u2019s productive capacity, and is wary about its impact on job security [SINGAPORE] Workers in Vietnam are among the world\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61608,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=61607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61607\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/61608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=61607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=61607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=61607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}