Closing Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at AI Student Developer Conference

1. Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to be here at the AI Student Developer Conference today, surrounded by so many bright and curious minds united by a shared interest in artificial intelligence (AI).

Students are tomorrow’s AI leaders

2. The global AI race is not just about technology, but talent. The future of AI leadership depends on cultivating the right talent to develop and deploy cutting-edge technologies. And that talent is you.

3. AI is transforming industries and societies at an unprecedented pace. In January this year, McKinsey reported that 92% of companies planned to increase their AI investments, underscoring the growing demand for AI expertise. Companies such as Grab and DBS continue to deploy AI across their operations.

4. Singapore’s Digital Economy is growing twice as fast as the entire economy, at an annual rate of 11.2% in the past 5 years. More tech professionals are needed to support and drive this growth. In the past 5 years, we have seen the number of tech jobs rise from 166,000 in 2018 to 208,000 in 2023, now accounting for 5.2% of total employment. This means that 1 in 20 workers in Singapore is now a tech professional.

5. Despite recent challenges such as the global geopolitical uncertainty and layoffs in global tech firms, companies in Singapore such as Accenture and Amazon Web Services are still seeking to fill more than 1,000 vacancies in tech-related roles. Given technology's role as a horizontal enabler, we have observed that companies in non-tech sectors, such as finance and insurance, continue to actively hire tech talent. In fact, non-Information and Communications sectors have hired twice as many tech workers as tech companies. There is still demand for skilled professionals, and opportunities remain available for those who are prepared to step forward.

6. This is why it is crucial for us to nurture and develop our students today to be the next generation of innovators, creators, and problem solvers. We want to foster a strong pipeline of talented, forward-thinking, individuals who can leverage technology to deliver impactful solutions and drive progress.

7. AI is becoming an indispensable skill, and a financial analyst who understands, and can use AI-based forecasting tools, is likely to make more accurate predictions and better investment decisions. In the same vein, a marketing professional who uses AI-powered analytics can craft more targeted and effective campaigns. The ability to understand and apply AI will be a key differentiator in the workforce of the future.

8. To prepare students for this AI-driven future, we have enhanced our education system to focus on AI and related disciplines.

9. Starting from 2026, upper secondary students will have the opportunity to take up Computing at G1 and G2 levels, in addition to the existing G3 Computing. This will provide a strong foundation in computational thinking and problem-solving skills.

10. Our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have also aligned their offerings to support deeper AI specialisation. For instance, ITE now offers a Higher Nitec in AI Applications, while Nanyang Polytechnic has introduced a Diploma in Applied AI and Data Analytics. Nanyang Technological University has also launched the Turing AI Scholar’s Programme, which is designed to groom the next generation of AI leaders.

11. These initiatives are not just about equipping students with technical skills – we hope that they will empower you to innovate and solve real-world problems using AI. At the end of the day, AI is not just about machines, but also about how people can use technology to improve lives, create opportunities, and build a better future.

Government is working with industry to deepen our AI capabilities

12. The Government is also working closely with industry to deepen our AI capabilities. Public-private partnerships are key to nurturing talent and bridging the gap between learning and real-world applications. The AI Student Developer Conference (AISDC) and the National AI Student Challenge (NAISC) are good examples of how public-private partnerships can foster innovation, nurture talent, and help address real-world challenges and drive AI development.

13. The AISDC provides a platform for students to showcase AI projects and engage with industry professionals. A highlight was the "AI Playground," where students demonstrated their innovations, and companies shared about their internship and career opportunities. Such platforms help our industry partners identify and nurture emerging talent, while hopefully inspiring some of you to pursue AI-related careers.

14. I would like to highlight two projects at AISDC that featured impactful solutions. The first, called “Initiate”, helps to address actual industry challenges. "Initiate” is an AI solutions marketplace developed by three Year 2 students from Nanyang Polytechnic's School of IT. It tackled SMEs' challenges in adopting AI due to limited resources by connecting them with accessible AI tools tailored to their needs. The second notable project was SIT's deepfake detection initiative. Students from the Applied Artificial Intelligence programme developed a method to identify deepfake manipulations in video and image content. This method allows their detector to detect manipulations that it was not originally trained on, and helps address new and emerging threats in the digital landscape.

15. Complementing AISDC, the National AI Student Challenge (NAISC) brings together seven industry leaders, and tasks students to apply their AI knowledge to solve real-world problems. For instance, participants were asked to design a new children’s mascot for the KidsSTOP children’s gallery at the Science Centre using GenAI technologies. These challenges foster creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills.

16. A significant milestone in NAISC is the partnership with AWS, which introduced the first regional challenge track, and now includes participants from ASEAN countries. By working with our partners, the NAISC has helped to enhance regional collaboration, and underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in building a robust AI ecosystem.

17. I am heartened to share that the growing interest in AI among students and industry partners is reflected in our growing numbers. The AISDC expanded from a one-day event with 20 industry partners and 200 participants in 2023 to a two-day event with over 60 partners and thousands of participants. Similarly, NAISC has grown to over 2,000 participants today.

18. These events underscore the value of public-private collaboration – they bring together students, industry professionals, and government stakeholders to create fertile ground for innovation and talent development. Students benefit from exposure to real-world challenges and mentorship from industry experts, while companies gain access to fresh perspectives and potential solutions to pressing problems.

Embrace the growing opportunities

19. I want to encourage the students here today to continue this momentum and embrace the growing opportunities for student engagement in tech and AI. Being here today signals your curiosity about AI, which is a critical first step.

20. Take, for example, the teams in today’s LLM League Grand Finale. They have explored thought-provoking, forward-looking questions such as: “What’s the magic behind agentic AI in machine learning, and why is it so pivotal?” and “What are the latest advancements of Generative AI research and use within ASEAN?” These are not just academic questions– they are the kinds of questions that will shape the future of AI. By engaging with these topics, you are already taking the first steps toward becoming tomorrow’s AI leaders.

21. But curiosity alone is not enough. I hope you will also seize the opportunities available to you. The ecosystem for student engagement in tech and AI is expanding rapidly, offering numerous avenues for growth and learning.

22. Singapore aims to triple our AI practitioner pool to 15,000 over the next five years. Since last year, the pool has grown by 25%. To achieve this, we are investing $20 million over three years to enhance AI practitioner training for students. This includes initiatives such as AI-related SG Digital Scholarships and overseas internships in AI roles. These opportunities are designed to give you hands-on experience, expose you to global best practices, and prepare you for the challenges of the future.

23. There are many avenues for learning and growth, offering opportunities for you to explore your interests and hone your skills. These include internships, apprenticeships, youth hackathons, innovation labs, and mentorship programs.

24. Companies like Singtel and AWS are offering a range of opportunities to cultivate talent and help build in-demand tech skills. Singtel has a suite of early-career programmes to nurture future tech leaders, which include the Management Associate Programme (MAP) for tech graduates and the Singtel Catalyst Work-Study Degree Programme, which combines industry experience with academic study, for diploma holders. AWS is offering free training and certifications through their AWS SkillBuilder and real-world innovation exposure through programs like the Amazon Think Big Experience, which empower young individuals to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.

25. I urge you to take advantage of these opportunities. Embrace your curiosity, challenge yourself, and never stop learning.

Conclusion

26. In closing, Singapore’s journey in AI has been marked by vision, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to nurturing talent. As we continue to position ourselves as a global AI hub, the government remains dedicated to supporting the needs and growth of our students through our investments in education and our partnerships.

27. To all the students, you are at the heart of this journey. We will continue to provide you with the resources, platforms, and mentorship needed to realise your potential and make a meaningful impact.

28. Thank you all for being a part of this.