SINGAPORE – Creating a value proposition is most important for Singaporeans amid the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Jan 9.

This begins with understanding the challenges that people face and the problems they want to solve, said Mr Chan, speaking at a dialogue involving 200 guests, mostly students from secondary schools and institutes of higher learning.

“Now this requires a deep understanding of the environment that we are in, which is why I always encourage all our students, all our young people and not so young people, to constantly look out to the world and understand what the world needs, what the world’s pain points are,” he added.

Mr Chan stressed that developing solutions requires both a disciplined approach and creativity to create a value proposition that others cannot provide.

“I don’t think we need to despair because there will always be room for the human creativity that is required,” he said.

The dialogue, titled The Future of Innovation and Internationalisation – The Role of Youth in a Changing World – was organised by charitable youth organisation Heartware Network. It featured veteran businessman, Dr Yao Hsiao Tung, who is the founder and executive chairman of local advanced manufacturing company Hi-P International.

Part of the youth organisation’s Heartware Leadership Series, the dialogue was held at the SingPost Auditorium in Paya Lebar.

During the dialogue, Mr Chan polled the audience on whether they thought that their future jobs will be replaced by AI. Most raised their hands to say no.

When asked why, a polytechnic student pursuing a social work course said she was quite confident because her field is highly specialised and requires a human touch.

Picking up on this, Mr Chan, who is also Coordinating Minister for Public Services, said that no matter what AI can do for now, there are a few areas where it may never fully replace humans.