AI reshaping and creating Singapore jobs, but lack of experience a hurdle for fresh grads

Employers are prioritising candidates who can deploy artificial intelligence in real business settings

Young Zhan Heng
Published Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 11:33 AM
    • Some 75% of graduates studying data science and analytics at NUS secured full-time employment in 2025, a decline from 80% in the previous year.
    • Some 75% of graduates studying data science and analytics at NUS secured full-time employment in 2025, a decline from 80% in the previous year. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] OpenAI is hiring more than 200 people in Singapore. But nearly all the roles require at least five years of experience.

    The tech giant’s desire to hire experienced talent is “not an outlier”, with such hiring patterns observed across companies racing to adopt artificial intelligence, noted Richard Farmer, managing director for Asia at talent firm CXC.

    While AI investment is fuelling demand for talent, recruiters who spoke to The Business Times said that employers are prioritising candidates who can deploy AI in real business settings, making it harder for fresh graduates to break into the industry.