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AI at work in Singapore: productivity boost or just more rework?

Across Singapore, artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday work. Many organisations now rely on AI-powered tools to draft emails, analyse data, and automate routine tasks. The goal is clear: improve workplace productivity and help teams work faster.

But as AI at work becomes more common, many employers and employees are asking a simple question. Does AI save time, or does it create more rework?

A recent LinkedIn poll by Hays among professionals in Singapore highlights a more divided experience. Of the 62 respondents, 55% say AI saves them time and boosts productivity, while a notable 31% say it is helpful but adds extra rework. A smaller group — 5% — feel AI creates more hassle than value, and 10% do not use AI at work at all.

The results suggest that while AI is delivering benefits for many, a significant portion of professionals are still experiencing friction.

What employees in Singapore are experiencing

Many professionals use generative AI to support content creation, early drafts, and basic analysis. These tools help people start tasks faster, especially in fast-moving environments.

This aligns with the poll results, where more than half of respondents report productivity gains from AI.

However, the higher 31% who say AI adds rework reveals an important tension. Employees often find that AI-generated output still needs refining to meet business standards, client expectations, or regulatory requirements. Reviewing and correcting AI output can reduce — or even cancel out — the time saved upfront.

This “rework effect” shows a clear limit. AI models can support speed and efficiency, but people still bring judgment and accountability.

From an employee perspective:

AI helps with drafting, not final decisions
Output may miss context or nuance
Time saved early can be lost during review
Confidence in AI varies by role and experience

In areas such as customer service, customer support, and leadership roles, human oversight remains essential.

Why employers in Singapore see both opportunity and risk

From an employer’s point of view, the poll results explain why AI adoption continues to accelerate. With 55% of professionals reporting productivity benefits, AI clearly has a role to play in improving efficiency.

When applied well, AI can:

Help teams automate repetitive tasks
Support project management and reporting
Improve consistency across documents
Free team members to focus on higher-value work

In Singapore, where efficiency matters, these gains are attractive.

However, the 31% reporting additional rework signals a leadership challenge. Many organisations introduce AI tools faster than they equip employees with clear guidance on how to use them well. As a result, AI adoption and output quality can vary widely across teams.

From an employer perspective:

Some teams rely heavily on AI, others avoid it
Output quality differs across departments
Poor integration leads to duplicated work
Lack of standards affects trust

Without structure, AI risks becoming another source of inefficiency rather than a productivity enabler.

The quiet gap: professionals not using AI

While a smaller group, the 10% of respondents who do not use AI at work point to an important issue. Not everyone uses AI at work. When this gap grows, some employees move ahead faster than others.

Over time, this can affect employability and workforce readiness in Singapore.

In many cases, non-use reflects uncertainty. Employees may be unclear about approved tools, expectations, or how AI fits into daily work. This makes AI a people and management issue, not just a technology one.

Practical AI applications in Singaporean workplaces

Resume Worded: CV and resume optimisation
- Uses AI to improve CV structure, keyword alignment, and impact for recruiter and ATS screening.
Claude: Cover letter drafting and tailoring
- Helps candidates tailor cover letters to specific roles with clearer structure and tone, while keeping content personalised.
Grammarly: Professional writing clarity
- Improves grammar, tone, and clarity in emails, reports, and job applications to ensure high-quality communication.
LinkedIn Learning – AI-powered Role Play: Skill gap identification and upskilling
- Helps professionals practise real workplace conversations and scenarios, offering feedback to build confidence and highlight skill gaps in leadership and communication.
Otter.ai: Interview note-taking and reflection
- Ai-powered record, transcribe, and summarise conversations. Candidates can use it to review mock interviews, practise responses, and identify areas for improvement through written transcripts and summaries.