Singapore\u2019s approach to artificial intelligence<\/span><\/a> is to ensure that the benefits of the technology are shared widely in its adoption, and to protect every worker rather than every job.<\/p>\nThe Republic can achieve this because it has built a strong compact between the Government, employers and unions over the decades that is focused on achieving win-win outcomes for everyone, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the Forbes Global CEO Conference at Shangri-La Singapore hotel on Oct 8.<\/p>\n
In a dialogue with Forbes Media chairman and editor-in-chief Steve Forbes, PM Wong was asked how Singapore is dealing with the displacement of jobs that will result from the transition to an AI world.<\/p>\n
He replied that unlike some countries that see unions as obstacles, the city-state embraces unions as partners with a role to play in the rollout of AI.<\/p>\n
For instance, government grants for enterprise transformation are administered by the unions, and firms are expected to help their workers reskill when they access grants to build their information technology capabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does not mean that the company cannot lay off workers, because with automation some jobs may be lost,\u201d said PM Wong.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what we ask is that companies are fair \u2013 go for retrenchments only as a last resort, and if you have to retrench, treat the workers fairly, pay them retrenchment benefits, give them advance notice, and inform the unions so that the unions can work alongside the workers, help them to retrain and eventually get a job.\u201d<\/p>\n