May Day Rally: Singapore must ‘ready ourselves to succeed’ amid AI disruption, says PM Wong

[SINGAPORE] With artificial intelligence disrupting and reshaping entire industries, Singapore must transform itself, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the May Day Rally on Friday (May 1).

“Singapore must ready ourselves to succeed in this new environment,” he said at the annual event by the National Trades Union Congress.

The prime minister reassured workers that although some jobs will change and disappear, the benefits of AI will be shared by all.

Beyond the current Middle East crisis, the global economy is being reshaped by deeper forces – the most significant being AI, PM Wong said.

This is why the government has set up the National AI Council – announced at Budget 2026 – which drives the country’s agenda in this space, he added.

The goals are to build deep capabilities in this sector; drive its adoption; make Singapore an AI innovation hub; and ensure that it provides every worker with better jobs and opportunities.

Investments and training

PM Wong noted “good progress” in achieving these goals, with leading global companies strengthening their AI activities here.

These include Google, which has set up its first South-east Asia AI research hub in the Republic. There, Singaporeans work with international experts and scientists on cutting-edge AI and real-world applications.

Singapore will continue to attract investments not just from global tech leaders, but also fast-growing startups, he added.

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One such company is Advanced Machine Intelligence, which looks at using AI to understand and interact with the real world. Singapore is its Asian base, among four global offices.

“As we attract more of these investments, as we grow our AI ecosystem, we will ensure that opportunities for Singaporeans will expand correspondingly,” PM Wong said.

Beyond attracting investments, the government is also helping local companies transform, he continued.

For example, DBS started investing in AI over a decade ago, improving productivity and creating value. It is now training all its employees to use such tools, “empowering them to build their own AI solutions to support their work”.

Protecting workers

AI transformation can allow workers to grow, adapt, and move into better roles, said PM Wong.

Nevertheless, he recognised workers’ anxieties – that it may replace jobs, that they will struggle to keep up, and that the next generation may no longer have good opportunities.

“These concerns are real,” he acknowledged. But he noted that Singapore has been through major transitions before.

He cited the rise of digital spreadsheets in the mid-90s. These meant offices needed fewer data entry clerks – but also created opportunities, with higher demand for accountants and analysts who could use the tools to create value.

“I cannot promise that there will be no disruption,” PM Wong said. Jobs will change and some will disappear, with an unprecedented pace of change, he acknowledged.

“But this I can promise you: as our economy transforms, we will create new and better jobs,” he added.

“We may not be able to protect every job. But we will protect every worker.”

The government will not leave this to chance, or to the market entirely, he said. That is why it is strengthening support for workers through SkillsFuture.

While the government provides tools, pathways and support, Singaporeans themselves must “step forward” to master using AI, he said. “Do not let anxiety or uncertainty hold you back.”

“Companies that (embrace AI) will stay competitive. Workers who build AI skills will have better opportunities and prospects.”