Singapore Management University (SMU) has set up a new research institute to study how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing jobs, skills and lifelong learning.
The Resilient Workforces Institute, known as ResWORK, brings together researchers from economics, management, behavioural science and technology to examine how workers, organisations and training systems are adapting to rapid technological change.
Professor Lily Kong, President, Singapore Management University, said,
“The launch of the Resilient Workforces Institute reflects SMU’s commitment to research that matters – research that shapes public policy, informs organisational practice and ultimately strengthens the resilience of Singapore’s workforce.
By bringing together insights across disciplines, ResWORK will help Singapore and the region navigate the profound changes reshaping work and learning in the age of AI.”
ResWORK will focus on how people work alongside AI and automation, how organisations redesign processes and leadership for technology-enabled workplaces, and how labour market transitions can be managed to support inclusive employment.
More than 20 faculty members across SMU’s six schools are involved, and research activity is already underway.
The institute has secured more than S$1.5 million in research funding across internal and external projects.
SMU has committed S$5 million over five years to anchor the institute and is aiming to raise a further S$8 million in external funding within three years to expand its research and partnerships.
At the launch, SMU signed a two-year memorandum of understanding with SkillsFuture Singapore to jointly study how AI, digital technologies and shifting work preferences are affecting job tasks, skills demand and learning pathways.
Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore said,
“Our partnership with SMU on ResWORK is driven by a singular objective: to future-proof the national SkillsFuture system.
By future-proofing, we mean that adult learning must adapt to the effects of emerging, rapidly changing technologies to workforce dynamics, so that the training received by learners best equips them for these changes.”
ResWORK will also work with industry partners on applied research.
Data centre company Equinix has contributed S$450,000 to support a flagship study on occupational exposure to AI in Singapore’s labour market.
The project marks the first corporate-funded research initiative under the institute and will analyse job postings and task requirements over time to track how AI-related skills are evolving across roles and industries, with the aim of informing workforce planning and reskilling programmes.
Featured image: (From right to left) Professor Alan Chan, SMU Provost, Guest-of-Honour Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Mr Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive, SkillsFuture Singapore, Professor Lily Kong, SMU President, and Professor Archan Misra, Vice Provost (Research); Interim Director of SMU Resilient Workforces Institute
