Dear Friends,
Used properly, AI can improve productivity, reduce repetitive work, raise efficiency and create new opportunities for workers.
But AI adoption cannot become an excuse for companies to simply replace Singaporean workers in the name of “efficiency”.
Protecting Jobs while Preparing Workers for the Future
The Singapore Government is actively encouraging businesses to adopt AI through grants, incentives and other forms of support.
There is nothing inherently wrong with this.
The problem is what happens when public money is used to subsidise AI adoption without sufficient safeguards for Singaporean jobs, and the quality of services that companies provide.
If taxpayers’ money is being used to help a company automate its operations, there should be a corresponding responsibility to ensure that Singaporeans are not simply discarded as a result.
Competence and Accountability in AI Adoption
There is another issue that deserves just as much attention.
AI is not a magic button – the quality of an AI system depends on how it is implemented, supervised and integrated into an organisation’s operations.
A poorly designed, poorly supervised AI system can produce inaccurate information, make inappropriate decisions, introduce security and operational risks, or cause serious disruptions when it is placed in the wrong hands.
This becomes particularly important when AI is introduced into essential services and systems that ordinary Singaporeans depend on every day, such as public infrastructure, healthcare, financial services or other critical operations
A failure can affect thousands or even millions of people.
Hence, the Government therefore cannot simply encourage AI adoption and wait for problems to appear before responding.
Good policymaking means anticipating foreseeable risks before they become crises.
SDA’s Proposal 1: AI Workforce Safeguards for Singaporean Workers
SDA proposes that companies receiving Government support for AI adoption should meet a “Singaporean employment and training” requirement.
Where companies receive AI-related grants, they should commit to maintaining an appropriate proportion of Singaporean employees in the affected operations, while providing those workers with proper training in the use of AI.
This is to ensure that productivity gains do not come at the expense of Singaporean workers.
A worker whose job is affected by AI should have the opportunity to learn how to work with the technology rather than simply being replaced by it.
AI should become the tool – not the Singaporean worker.
SDA’s Proposal 2: An AI TrustMark to Ensure Safety and Accountability
The SDA proposes that companies undertaking significant AI implementation, particularly in critical or essential operations, should be required to undergo an independent professional assessment.
This could operate on principles similar to established quality-management frameworks such as ISO 9001.
The purpose is to establish a recognised framework for asking basic but important questions, such as:
– What decisions is it permitted to make?
– How are employees trained to use it?
– What safeguards are in place?
A professional assessment would provide an independent reference point for companies, regulators and customers.
It will also encourage organisations to adopt and train competent personnel and adopt good processes that improve public wellbeing.
Moving forward
The Government should not wait until workers have already lost their jobs or an AI-related failure has already disrupted an essential service before it acts.
It has the ability, and the responsibility, to anticipate the consequences of technological change and put preventive measures in place before problems occur.
While we push ahead with AI and innovation, we must make sure that Singaporeans are not left behind to play catch up.
And we must make sure that government agencies and corporations are not given a free rein to experiment without adequate safeguards to protect the public.
Our people must move forward together with advancements in technology.
That is what it means to have a heart for the people.
And that is the responsible way forward.
Desmond Lim
Chairman
Singapore Democratic Alliance
