Singapore Ramps Up Robotics & AI Talent to Secure Its Global Edge

Singapore is accelerating efforts to cultivate a new generation of robotics and AI talent as global automation surges, says Tung Meng Fai, executive director of the National Robotics Programme (NRP). With robotics systems quickly moving from controlled factory floors into hospitals, logistics hubs, and retail spaces, the country sees its talent pipeline as the defining factor in staying competitive.

“Demand for robotics expertise is stronger than ever,” Tung told CNA. As robots become increasingly capable—sensing environments, making decisions, and acting with greater autonomy—the need for cross-disciplinary talent in embodied AI continues to rise. Global installations of industrial robots are projected to hit 708,000 by 2028, up from 542,000 last year.

Yet the race for skilled workers is intense. Some roles in Singapore remain open for more than six months, with companies often looking overseas to fill gaps. Tung emphasized that this is a global challenge: firms everywhere are vying for workers trained at the intersection of robotics and AI, and those with strong credentials are quickly snapped up.

Despite its small size, Singapore performs well on a per-capita basis, with local and overseas Singaporeans contributing meaningfully to embodied AI research and innovation. The NRP is working to strengthen networks among local talent, international experts, and Singaporeans abroad to accelerate collaboration and idea exchange.

That push comes amid broader public anxiety over automation. Headlines about layoffs and shrinking entry-level roles have left some worried that robots could displace workers—a perception Tung says is often shaped by Hollywood rather than reality. Truly human-level robotics remains far off, he noted, and global policy conversations today emphasize designing machines that augment, not replace, human work.

With an aging population and limits on migrant labor, robotics and AI will be essential to keeping industries productive and society resilient. “If we want to continue to grow as a country and take care of our society,” Tung said, “robotics and automation must help tackle these very challenging issues.”