SINGAPORE: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly replacing some work tasks but not jobs in most cases, Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Monday.
AI was altering working practices, and not creating mass unemployment, Ong said at the National University of Singapore’s annual Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum.
Some organisations are using AI to automate tasks that used to be done by new hires, he said. This may translate to tougher jobs when young workers enter the workforce.
Singapore’s graduate employment rate is one indicator of the tightening job market, the minister said. Data from the Graduate Employment Survey, cited by Ong, showed that in 2025, 88.9% of graduates were employed within six months of their graduation, compared to 92.9% in 2023.
The harsher environment was related to several factors, such as increasing number of graduates, employers seeking to differentiate among students, and increased expectations of the workforce, he said.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s economy continued to grow, attract investments and generate employment, said Ong. He stated that there are plenty of jobs that would still require humans even with the advancement of AI.
Jobs that could be partially automated by AI include programmers, editors and translators, he said. AI, in healthcare, however, has the potential to streamline mundane tasks like taking notes during appointments, coordinating work hours, and even helping physicians interpret diagnostic images.
Ong also cited other industries where employees are already leveraging AI without delegating their jobs to it. For instance, an interior designer might leverage AI to enhance visual renderings, without having to manage client, contractor and permit issues.
This was happening in various sectors, where AI was taking care of specific responsibilities while humans remained in charge of the overall role, the minister said.
He urged the students and graduates to utilize the AI tools, career guidance and university assistance to build their skills and knowledge in their fields of interest.
Ong also suggested that employers should be more open to hiring candidates whose grades are not high but have a good internship or relevant forms of training. Other life experiences like sports, volunteering, traveling, and artistic endeavors as well as caring for family members can also provide evidence of qualities that are desired by employers, he said.
Young people should prioritize their mastery of their crafts, he said, as expertise would be even more important as AI handles more rote tasks.
Source: CNA
