EY survey also finds fewer employers support fully remote workforce
The adoption of generative AI (GenAI) in the workplace has seen a significant increase in Singapore, where 79% of employees are now using GenAI as part of their work — a jump from 24% in 2023.
This figure, higher than the global rate of 75%, reflects Singapore's strong push towards integrating advanced AI tools into daily operations, according to the EY 2024 Work Reimagined Survey.
The survey included input from 17,350 employees and 1,595 employers across 23 countries and 27 sectors, with specific data from 1,050 employees and 200 employers in Southeast Asia, including Singapore.
Productivity has been a key driver of GenAI adoption, with 48% of Singaporean employees reporting productivity improvements thanks to GenAI, compared to 37% globally.
Similarly, 47% of Singaporean employees find GenAI enables a stronger focus on high-value tasks (global 36%). Employers echo these views, with 74% of Singaporean respondents recognizing GenAI’s role in productivity gains, and 70% affirming its ability to allow focus on more strategic tasks.
However, adoption rates vary among different age groups:
“The speed of adoption of GenAI has brought important workforce considerations to the forefront, from technology and skills investment to the importance of fostering an organizational culture rooted in trust and retention,” says Samir Bedi, EY’s Asean People Consulting Leader.
“Organizations should tailor technology to fit the unique needs of each role, while acknowledging the potential for productivity gains at every level.”
At the same time, they need to bridge the gap between employer and employee perspectives on technology adoption, he says.
“The survey findings suggest that employers in Singapore may be more attuned to industry trends and the necessity for new technologies to maintain business competitiveness, while employees may prioritize their day-to-day responsibilities over future technology shifts, leading to a disconnect in the urgency of adoption.”
Despite employers' focus on tech-driven advancements, there is a perceptual gap regarding the urgency of tech adoption. Around 48% of Singaporean employers foresee major disruptions from new technologies, while only 32% of employees share this view.
As fully remote work declines, hybrid work arrangements remain a staple in Singapore's employment landscape, found EY. Only 16% of Singapore employers support fully remote arrangements for knowledge workers — down from 42% last year.
However, 76% now offer hybrid options that allow employees to work remotely two to four days weekly. This is a marked increase from 54% last year, indicating a strong commitment to balancing flexibility with collaborative in-office benefits.
These findings come as Singapore approaches the implementation of new government guidelines on flexible work in December, which is expected to impact workplace culture further.
The importance of flexibility in work location remains evident among employees, ranking as the second-most influential factor in job selection for 40% of respondents, just behind salary considerations at 47%, found EY.
“In recent years, the rise of remote and hybrid work has reshaped our approach to workforce productivity,” notes Bedi. “The survey results point out that in Singapore, employers continue to value flexible work arrangements.”
