ASIA-PACIFIC: The instantaneous integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into business processes is redefining talent approaches all over Asia-Pacific (APAC); however, numerous corporations are facing the change with care, says one expert.
Ryan Meyer, Managing Director of General Assembly APAC, said in an interview with HRD Asia that, notwithstanding extensive dismissals and downsizing in the tech sector, calls for data professionals remain strong—predominantly in areas driven by AI and automation. However, businesses are re-examining their employment requirements, specifically for junior roles, while appraising productivity advances aided by AI.
“AI is on the minds of everyone, and some companies are taking dramatic steps to incorporate AI into the workflow and to really reinvent the way that they do business. What this is causing in the short term— and what we see globally – is that there’s less of a demand for junior talent, because it’s much easier to partner or to have an AI work alongside a senior talent and boost productivity by 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%,” Meyer stressed.
The Ministry of Manpower Singapore’s latest poll indicated that 83% of managers in Singapore are having a hard time filling up major tech roles, stressing the imperative necessity of businesses to reconsider their labour force policies.
Results from IBM and Morning Consult disclosed that 99% of 1,000 developers who are building AI applications for companies are exploring or developing AI agents.
Meyer noted that Singapore’s labour market mirrors this universal drift, with companies struggling to find skilled professionals while job seekers—principally those recently impacted by tech dismissals—scuffle to secure jobs.
Meyer also clarified that there’s a transition period taking place where a high percentage of tech talent has been flooded into the market through layoffs last year. “Companies (are taking) a pause on hiring while they figure out what kind of productivity boost they’ll have with AI.”
In the Lion City, managers are “more conservative” when it comes to AI adoption, says Meyer.
“They want to get things right, rather than be first… We’re probably still six months to a year away from the really dramatic changes.”
“There’s a real opportunity to boost productivity and to take people away from low-level tasks and move them into higher value tasks, and let AI do the lower value tasks.”
Those who efficiently and successfully make the changeover will have a significant lead, says Meyer.
He likewise believes there’s going to be “a wave of new companies that are AI-first” and that these organisations will get into alliances with more reputable players, utilise their data, and employ their prevailing operations that work in this new, AI-first modality.
