Ong Ye Kung: Lifelong Learning Key to AI Readiness in Singapore

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has made the case that Singapore’s ability to thrive in an AI-driven economy hinges not on how fast the country deploys technology, but on how well it prepares its people. Speaking at MENDAKI’s #MakingConnections event on July 10, the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies framed AI readiness as fundamentally a human challenge—one that requires sustained investment in professional craft, community networks, and the kind of judgement no model can replicate.

Minister Ong acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding AI but argued that the right response is confidence rather than fear. AI can help professionals work faster, organise information more effectively, and automate routine tasks, he said. But he cautioned that “for whatever our profession is”—teacher, social worker, healthcare worker, engineer—“there is a craft behind it,” and that mastering that craft through continuous practice, learning, and improvement is what positions professionals to use AI effectively rather than be displaced by it.

Beyond individual skills, the minister highlighted the importance of professional communities that support knowledge sharing, mentorship, and capability development. He pointed to MENDAKI’s Professional Networks initiative—which brings together professionals across education, entrepreneurship, and sports—as a model for how structured peer support can strengthen lifelong learning. Such networks will become increasingly important as technology continues to reshape industries and create new demands for skills, he said. The broader message was clear: no one navigates the AI transition alone.

Singapore’s approach to AI adoption has consistently emphasised both technological advancement and workforce development, and this speech reinforces that dual-track strategy. The government has already rolled out SkillsFuture programmes, supported NTUC’s parliamentary motion on an “AI Transition with No Jobless Growth,” and expanded community-based employment support with AI skills training. Minister Ong’s remarks add a specific cultural dimension to these efforts: the idea that professional communities and mentorship networks are essential infrastructure for the AI era, not optional extras.

Why it matters for Singapore: As one of the most digitally connected societies in the world, Singapore faces both the opportunities and the disruptions of AI sooner than most. Minister Ong’s emphasis on “things that endure”—judgement, experience, professional craft—offers a framework that goes beyond typical upskilling rhetoric. It signals that Singapore’s AI strategy is not just about building more compute capacity or attracting AI firms, but about ensuring that workers at every level have the community support and professional depth to adapt confidently. For a small nation whose economic model depends on human capital, that balance between technological adoption and human development may be the most important policy challenge of the decade.