Tan Wu Meng, Member of Parliament for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC), highlighted that new challenges in Singapore such as artificial intelligence (AI), energy and social reserves will require fresh thinking and approaches.
After he spoke in parliament and expressed his support for the Budget during the Budget Debate on Feb. 26, a part of his speech on AI has been circulating online on platforms like X and Reddit, attracting many positive comments.
In his speech, Tan mentioned how the AI technology is advancing, with companies rapidly introducing new platforms.
He highlighted the pace of change, saying:
"I had expected the technology to take another two to three years. As it happened, it took place faster than I imagined. Within 10 months, OpenAI had announced the Sora platform to produce AI-generated video."
New full-time diploma subsidy for workers above 40 is important
"No country, no economy can hide from these changes in the world with AI," Tan said, adding:
"So, we have to accept the world as it is, the way the world is going to be, and look after, support, empower and uplift our people."
"This is why the new subsidy for Singaporeans age 40 and above to pursue another full-time diploma in higher education – this new subsidy in the Budget, that is why it is so important," he said, referring to the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy.
He added that the subsidy is important because it recognises that in a fast-changing world, what is learnt in school at age a young age may have changed or been replaced decades later.
"It recognises that change and supports middle-aged and older workers," he said.
The scheme will subsidise up to 90 per cent of the course fee for MOE or SkillsFuture-funded programmes, and the remaining fee can be further offset by SkillsFuture credits.
A S$4,000 SkillsFuture credit top-up for all Singaporeans 40 and above was announced on Feb. 16.
He added that having mid-career workers learning new skills alongside younger workers will also transform the education experience in Institutes of Higher Learning as older workers bring life experience, life skills and living wisdom into the classroom.
Tan also highlighted major AI challenges such as potential dangers of deepfakes and urged Singapore to keep building a "sense of togetherness" in approaching these issues.
"Singapore is coordinated enough. We have the state capacity, governmental capacity for agencies to work together in teamwork, in cohesion, something that many other countries cannot quite do. We saw that during the pandemic and it will be essential for this next challenging future that we face."
Netizens praise Tan
Online comments poured in across different platforms, praising Tan's speech.
One X user commended it and said that it is what "leadership" looks like.
The post, which was shared on Feb. 28, went viral with 2,200 reposts, attracting many positive comments.
Leadership.
It looks like this.
How Singapore prepares it citizens for the age AI.
While some western countries sell yesterday’s careers to prop up institutions that refuse to grow and adapt with life long financial burdens. pic.twitter.com/XsITVUrxEY
— Brian Roemmele (@BrianRoemmele) February 28, 2024
Some X users praised the Singapore government for "embracing the change" and "helping people adapt".
Screenshot via X.
One Reddit user also called Tan's perspective "interesting" and pointed to how he brought attention to the prospect of having mature students learning alongside younger students.
Screenshot via Reddit.
Another Reddit user said that many of Tan's suggestions are "actionable ideas that can start today."
Screenshot via Reddit.
Another Reddit user said that they were "not sure what to feel about it", as most workers above 40 may not be interested in going back to school.
Screenshot via Reddit.
You can watch Tan's full speech here: