Singapore President Warns AI Could Shrink Job Opportunities for Fresh Graduates

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has issued a serious warning that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is significantly narrowing employment opportunities for recent graduates worldwide.

He raised these concerns while addressing the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to him, opportunities for young people to enter the workforce after completing their studies—the first rung on the career ladder—are currently facing some of the greatest challenges. He described the issue as an urgent concern for policymakers.

Vulnerable Sectors and the Shortage of Entry-Level Jobs

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam noted that there is already clear evidence of declining opportunities for newcomers in sectors most vulnerable to the impact of artificial intelligence. The widespread adoption of AI technology across institutions and corporations is making employers increasingly reluctant to recruit for entry-level positions.

He urged policymakers and relevant authorities around the world to develop and implement effective strategies without delay to safeguard employment opportunities for the younger generation.

Warning About the Growing Divide Between Developed and Developing Economies

The Singaporean president also called for vigilance to prevent artificial intelligence from creating new forms of economic inequality between developed and developing economies.

He emphasised the importance of coordinated international initiatives and cooperation to ensure that this technological transformation does not further widen the social and economic divides between countries.

//DBTech/BMT/OR//