A recent report by job site Indeed has revealed a notable tension among Singaporean workers regarding the rapid pace of digital transformation in the workplace. According to the findings, one in five workers, amounting to 11% of respondents in the survey, feel overwhelmed and left behind as artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more prevalent. This sentiment highlights a widening gap between the adoption of AI technologies and the formal training provided to employees.
Indeed’s report, titled The Work Ahead, collected responses in May 2025 from a diverse group of 1,500 participants, including blue-collar workers, white-collar professionals, and business leaders in Singapore. It found that while 36% of workers are actively using generative AI tools at work, a significant portion—33%—have not received any formal training on these technologies. This lack of preparation fosters uncertainty and limits workers’ ability to fully leverage new digital tools.
The report identifies three central challenges impeding employees from becoming AI-ready: insufficient training (39%), difficulty keeping pace with rapid technological changes (39%), and limited early exposure to tech tools in their careers (28%). In addressing these barriers, workers expressed a preference for user-friendly AI tools accompanied by clear guides (42%), structured training such as workshops (38%), and opportunities to experiment in low-pressure environments (35%).
Callam Pickering, Indeed’s APAC Senior Economist, emphasized the importance of employers reassessing and updating their training programmes. Speaking to Digital News Asia, he noted that “job seekers will increasingly gravitate towards employers that foster a strong learning culture around AI” and urged companies to move beyond one-off workshops towards continuous learning pathways tailored to actual job tasks.
These findings resonate with earlier studies, including research conducted by NTUC LearningHub in December 2021, which found that a substantial 81% of Singaporean employees worried about digitalisation’s impact on their jobs. Moreover, 93% acknowledged the need to upgrade their skills to stay relevant, motivated by desires for better career progression (66%), higher pay (58%), and alignment with their existing skill sets (50%). These figures underscore a widespread awareness of the importance of upskilling in a rapidly evolving job market.
The pressures of digital transformation are further compounded by broader shifts in Singapore’s employment landscape. A report by employment platform foundit highlighted an 11% decline in Singapore’s overall hiring over the past year, with significant drops in retail and hospitality sectors, as well as a striking 45% decline in technology-related roles. This contraction suggests challenges in adapting to digitalisation and automation, which may exacerbate worker anxieties about job security and career advancement.
Indeed reports from earlier years also reflect these concerns: a 2021 survey found that over half of Singaporean employers believed the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digitalisation, with increased technology spend in industries such as banking and finance. Despite some workers viewing technology as an opportunity, a majority remained anxious about automation and AI threatening their jobs.
Employment difficulties linked to these ongoing transformations are apparent in labour market experiences. A LinkedIn report from late 2024 noted that 61% of Singaporean workers struggled to find new jobs, a figure notably higher than the global average. Workers cited challenges in finding roles that matched their expectations, negotiating fair pay, and standing out amid fierce competition—revealing the real-world impact of technological disruption on employment.
Taken together, these reports illustrate a critical juncture for Singapore’s workforce. The growing adoption of AI tools is reshaping work environments at an unprecedented pace, yet without sufficient training and support, many workers risk falling behind. Experts urge employers to champion continuous, accessible learning models that integrate digital skills training into everyday work contexts, thereby helping employees build confidence and competence in navigating AI-driven workplaces.
Ultimately, fostering a strong learning culture around AI and digital skills is not only essential for individual career resilience but also for maintaining Singapore’s competitiveness amid global technological shifts. As Callam Pickering aptly put it, adapting to these changes demands more than technology adoption—it requires deliberate investment in people’s ongoing development.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Subscribe to Industry Updates
