As AI becomes the norm, S’porean workers are honing these 5 skills to stay competitive
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here and transforming industries. Yet, Singaporeans seem cautious in their adoption of AI technologies.
According to a Jobstreet report, featured by the Singapore Business Review (SBR), only 53% of Singaporean workers are willing to reskill to stay relevant in the AI era. Meanwhile, 41% would only consider reskilling if absolutely necessary, despite growing concerns over job displacement or transformation due to generative AI (GenAI).
With AI taking on mundane tasks and improving work efficiency, workers are now focusing on the skills that machines can’t easily replicate. Here’s how Singaporeans are staying competitive amidst the AI revolution.
1. Sharpening analytical skills for a data-driven world
AI thrives on data, making analytical skills a hot commodity. Four in 10 Singaporeans are improving their ability to think critically, analyse complex information, and conduct research. These skills help workers interpret AI-driven insights, solve intricate problems, and make informed decisions in an increasingly automated workplace.
With AI taking over repetitive tasks, the ability to strategically apply data insights has become more critical than ever.
2. Focusing on functional and job-specific expertise
Beyond broad skills, Singaporeans are diving deep into their job-specific abilities. Whether it’s accounting, sales, finance, or technical know-how, 35% of workers are polishing their expertise to maintain an edge.
This approach highlights the value of combining AI capabilities with human domain knowledge to optimise processes and results.
3. Mastering project management
Managing people and projects is a distinctly human skill that AI can support but not replicate.
About 27% of Singaporean workers are strengthening their project management capabilities to oversee complex workflows, delegate tasks, and ensure team alignment—roles that are critical in environments where humans and machines collaborate.
4. Embracing creativity and innovation
While AI can generate ideas, human creativity remains irreplaceable.
24% of Singaporean workers are nurturing their creative and innovative abilities to bring fresh perspectives, solve unique problems, and design original solutions.
Creativity is increasingly valued in fields like marketing, product development, and content creation, where AI serves as a tool rather than the creator.
5. Developing advanced digital skills
Understanding how to work with emerging technologies is vital in an AI-driven economy.
22% of Singaporeans are upskilling in advanced digital competencies, including programming, data analysis, and AI literacy, to better integrate and utilise AI tools in their industries.
These skills bridge the gap between human effort and AI capabilities, enabling workers to leverage technology effectively.
How Singaporeans are reskilling and the challenges faced
Despite these efforts, Singaporeans spend less time on learning and development compared to their Southeast Asian peers.
In 2023, 19% of Singaporeans reported dedicating no time to upskilling, above the regional average of 13%.
When they do reskill, they prefer practical, flexible learning methods:
- 47% rely on on-the-job training.
- 40% opt for self-study.
- Many turn to online videos (36%), employer-sponsored courses (36%), or mobile apps (27%).
Singaporean workers are clear about what’s holding them back:
- 51% need guidance on which skills to learn.
- 46% cite a lack of high-quality learning courses.
- 36% point to insufficient employer support for GenAI adoption.
Employers can play a pivotal role by shifting their focus from degrees to skills and creating strategic upskilling programs.
Staying ahead of the AI curve
SBR also noted that based on Jobstreet’s Decoding Global Talent 2024 Singapore report, it highlighted the growing shift toward skills-based hiring. As companies face workforce gaps, particularly in ageing economies, the emphasis on academic credentials is slowly being replaced by valuing skills, experience, and potential.
To build a skills-focused workforce, companies need to rethink how they assess talent, focusing less on qualifications and more on real-world competencies.
As AI continues to evolve, Singaporeans must adapt to remain competitive. By honing these five skills and embracing flexible learning methods, workers can not only keep pace with the AI revolution but thrive in it.
For Singaporeans, the key lies in balancing technical expertise with human-centric skills—after all, machines may be smart, but it’s humans who drive innovation.
Also Read: This Microsoft Copilot workshop convinced me that AI can help content creators, here’s how
Featured Image Credit: Singapore Global Network
Why this Penang fusion cafe is a must-visit “pit stop” for car and motorcycle enthusiasts
To stand out, it seems like new cafes nowadays must have a unique theme to offer to customers. Just recently, Vulcan Post has featured an aquascape-themed cafe, a school-themed cafe, and office-themed cafe, amongst many others.
Up north in the buzzing food scene of Penang, this is true as well. A relatively new addition is Pedal & Rolls, a car-themed cafe for car enthusiasts.
Rolling into the scene
As you might’ve guessed, the people behind Pedal & Rolls are car enthusiasts themselves.
Speaking to Vulcan Post, co-founder Ken Lam shared that he and his partners are all very much into vehicles—both cars and motorcycles.
Although he isn’t an interior designer, Ken has a background as a graphic and multimedia designer. This creative background was something he leveraged during the design process of Pedal & Rolls.
“It was quite an adventure,” he shared about the journey of establishing the cafe. “We’ve had this inspiration since last year. We were brainstorming together what kind of concept we wanted to do for our cafe, and we finally decided to do a car-themed cafe, which is related to our hobby as well.”
With that decision made, Pedal & Rolls opened its doors at the end of July this year.
Located in Tanjung Bungah, it’s described as a “pit stop” for cars and motorcycle lovers. The cafe mimics a “home garage,” featuring industrial concepts and various car-related paraphernalia to fit the theme.
If you know about car culture, you’ll know that it oftentimes involves a lot of physical meetups so that hobbyists can check out others’ vehicles while connecting with each other over their common interest.
Pedal & Rolls isn’t just tapping into this culture but is also uplifting and growing it in Penang.
Aside from car meets that gather enthusiasts, they also host Simmatch racing games for customers.
As Ken said, “It’s like a dream for us to gather with friends with our vehicles parked right next to each other, having meals and beverages while talking about cars or motorcycles, playing simulator racing games, sharing the same interest, and meeting new people.”
Late nights and fusion food
Pedal & Rolls serves fusion-styled fare, as the team believes this type of cuisine is most suitable given the theme and local audience. The establishment is pork-free and does not serve alcohol.
Instead of just targeting vehicle enthusiasts, Pedal & Rolls also welcomes many walk-in customers who simply want to experience the ambience.
One thing about Penang, though, is that the F&B scene is quite competitive. Plus, many restaurants serve modern, Western-inspired cuisine. There’s Whisk & Whiz, Yolk, Syarikat Cafe, and many more. Given, these are mostly in the George Town area.
Still, Ken acknowledges the competitiveness and even embraces it. He believes that every cafe has its own subset of loyal customers.
“For us, we have our concept, culture, and audience as well,” he said. “So, the branding that we are creating, and the marketing is important. Growing with a natural way and exposure to the community helps us become more recognisable.”
Something else that’s unique about Pedal and Rolls is also the fact that it operates from 5PM to 2AM. So, instead of going the brunch route, this spot is more for the night owls.
“The reason is because we are a car-themed cafe,” Ken said. “Most car enthusiasts or car meets are usually during nighttime.”
Catering to this audience, Pedal & Rolls aims to be a space where customers can chill with food and drinks after a long day of work.
Pedalling forward
When I first came across Pedal & Rolls online, it had been marketed as a crossover between a car wash and a cafe. However, this concept seems to have changed, with the business no longer honing in on the “car wash” aspect.
To that, Ken explained that at the moment, the team has decided to focus on the F&B side, for the reason of creating strong branding and community.
“Then only we will further discuss and go through with the car wash,” he said.
While a car wash-cafe combination sounds like a cool idea, it makes sense that, as a start, Pedal & Rolls aims to focus on just the cafe portion first. With its unique lean, hopefully they will one day revisit the concept of a car wash as well.
Also Read: This Microsoft Copilot workshop convinced me that AI can help content creators, here’s how
Featured Image Credit: Pedal & Rolls
13 out of 593 M’sian startups made it to Alliance Bank BizSmart Challenge finals, here’s who
Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad has revealed the top 13 finalists for its 2024 BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition.
This year, these finalists emerged from a competitive selection process involving 593 applicants across Malaysia. This marks a key milestone in Alliance Bank’s initiative to spotlight and empower Malaysia’s next generation of industry leaders.
A decade of supporting rising entrepreneurs
The 2024 Accelerator Edition commemorates 10 years since the BizSmart® Challenge’s inception.
First launched in 2013, the programme has transformed from a supportive platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into a leading accelerator for Malaysia’s budding entrepreneurs.
Over the years, the BizSmart® Challenge has fostered the growth of many recognisable brands, including Christy Ng, myBurgerLab, Tapping Tapir, BloomThis, and Amazin’ Graze.
With this programme, Alliance Bank continues to nurture industry talent by offering prizes, mentorship, and opportunities to secure business financing, helping businesses scale and thrive in Malaysia’s competitive market.
“We are thrilled to present this year’s finalists, whose entrepreneurial spirit and innovation are truly inspiring,” shared Alliance Bank Group CEO Kellee Kam in a press release. Kam further highlighted the bank’s commitment to encouraging sustainable business practices and driving the growth of Malaysia’s SME sector.
This year’s process involved a four-day Accelerator Programme, business coaching, and a rigorous pitching competition that included a three-minute final pitch followed by 12 minutes of Q&A.
Industry veterans were among the distinguished judges who evaluated the finalists.
The judging panel featured:
- Kellee Kam, Group CEO of Alliance Bank
- Bikesh Lakhmichand, Founding Partner & CEO of 1337 Ventures
- Natalie Tan, Partner at 5X Capital
- Raymond Chui, Chief SME, Commercial and Transaction Banking Officer, Alliance Bank
- Sean Tan, Chief Business Officer of Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC)
- Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle
In addition to the Top 10 finalists, the judges awarded three additional “wild card” entries with a coveted “Golden Ticket” based on their impressive pitches.
The final 13 trailblazers
These businesses now stand a chance to win a share of RM500,000 in cash prizes, along with preferential business loans, branding exposure, and potential venture capital funding.
The finalists for the 2024 Alliance BizSmart Challenge Accelerator Edition include:
1. Asia Farms Network – Dairy product wholesaler
2. Aenon Solutions – Specialists in automation, barcoding, and RFID solutions
3. BioLoop – Innovator in organic waste management
4. Carching – Adtech mobility startup
5. Flybear – Ecommerce fulfillment and distribution centre
6. Fubizo – Food and beverage product developer
7. Gula Cakery – Expanding bakery chain
8. Mindhive – AI application developer
9. Sin Boon Kee – Traditional coffee manufacturer
10. Ventamin – Skin and wellness supplement producer
11. Volt Motorsports – Automotive service provider
12. Xin Seng Fatt – Soy sauce supplier
13. Zoey Food Supply – Healthy, child-friendly food manufacturer
A feature-length film for the finalists
For the first time in Malaysia, Alliance Bank will showcase the journey of the BizSmart® Challenge finalists in a feature-length documentary.
This film will offer an inside look at the inspiring stories and growth journeys of the finalists, premiering on November 27 at Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX. Guests invited for the private screening will witness the accomplishments and the outcome of this year’s competition.
It’s an interesting way to celebrate the eventual winners, and we wish the finalists congratulations and all the best!
- You can learn more about 2024 BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Also Read: AI could bring in US$826bil globally by 2030. Here’s why M’sian startups should get on board.
Featured Image Credit: Alliance Bank
