The joint session, held on 21 May 2025, organised by IMDA, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and SGListCos brought together HR leaders, C-suite executives, and tech innovators to explore how #AI is reshaping workforce strategy, performance management, and organisational planning, particularly in the HR business function.

The discussion began with a strong consensus: AI is no longer a future concept – it is the baseline. Proficiency in using it is now mandatory. From predictive analytics to cultural fit modelling, speakers from JobTech, Pulsifi and Visier Inc. showcased how AI is powering smarter talent decisions.

As Jay Huang, Co-founder and CEO of Pulsifi, explained, "Talent management can now be personalised across the company - using performance data, skills alignment and cultural fit." AI tools are making it possible to go beyond hiring and into holistic, organisation-wide workforce optimisation.

Yet, amidst the enthusiasm, caution was equally emphasised. Wee-Tiong Ang, Co-founder and CEO of JobTech reminded attendees that, "AI is not a magic pill. It's a powerful pattern recogniser, but it still needs human judgement." Speakers highlighted that domain expertise, data quality, and thoughtful integration remain critical to meaningful AI deployment.

Moderating the panel, Emily Ng, Head of Applications (Singapore) of Oracle framed the discussion around real-world use cases - ranging from recruitment chatbots to internal mobility.

In discussing the misconception that AI could replace entire HR functions, Adrian Tan, Head of Marketing (APAC) at Visier Inc., said, "Layoffs don't necessarily translate to efficiency. It's like cutting off a leg and thinking the body will need less energy - it doesn't work that way." The human element in HR continues to deliver irreplaceable value in decision-making, engagement, and leadership.

The session also surfaced emerging concerns, including data privacy, AI hallucinations, and vendor transparency - emphasising the need for responsible and well-informed adoption. The event concluded with a shared understanding: AI can accelerate strategic HR, but only when paired with strong human insight.

Looking ahead, SGListCos will continue to equip listed companies with the tools to lead with clarity and agility in an ever-changing world.