Two-thirds of employees in Singapore seek to upskill in 2024

Amid the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence in workplaces, over two-thirds of employees in Singapore said they have plans to upskill this year so they don't get left behind.

Indeed's survey among 1,211 Singapore-based employees revealed that 38% are worried about how AI could hinder job opportunities.

The findings reflect the growing concerns among employees across the world that AI would eventually put them out of work - fears that were recently validated as research revealed that AI could expose nearly 40% of jobs worldwide.

But another "healthy percentage" of 27% said they feel very comfortable with AI, according to Nishita Lalvani, Marketing Director Singapore, India and SEA at Indeed.

Lalvani said this group of workers believe that AI will "enhance future job opportunities."

UiPath previously tagged these employees who are ready to embrace AI-powered tools as the "automation generation."

In UiPath's own survey last year, 69% of Singaporeans believe that automation can address burnout and improve job fulfillment.

"The insights from our survey has shown that the majority of Singaporean workers are ready to embrace AI-powered automation to support them at work," said Jess O'Reilly, Area Vice President, Asia at UiPath, in a previous statement.

2024 trends for employment

Meanwhile, the report also revealed that flexibility (20%) is at the top of Singapore employees' workplace priorities in 2024. Other factors that employees put premium on include:

• Pay increases (16%)
• Promotion and career progression (14%)
• Learning and development (13%)

With the new year bringing in new goals, Lalvani underscored that businesses should understand what their employees' goals are and how to facilitate them.

"Factors such as flexibility, pay, and career progression play a key role but employers must not underestimate the importance of having a positive workplace culture if they want to retain staff," Lalvani said in a media release.