As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms business landscapes, firms must adapt hiring strategies to remain competitive or risk falling behind
The swift and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how companies across the Asia-Pacific region approach hiring and workforce development. Yet, many organisations are treading carefully amidst the changes, according to Ryan Meyer, Managing Director of General Assembly APAC.
Despite recent waves of layoffs in the tech sector, Meyer told HRD Asia that demand for data-centric roles remains robust—particularly where AI and automation are central to operations. However, firms are rethinking the structure of their teams, especially at the entry level, as AI tools increasingly complement senior professionals, significantly improving output.
“Many companies are now redesigning workflows to integrate AI tools. Partnering AI with experienced talent can result in efficiency gains of up to 50%. This has led to a reduced need for junior staff in the short term,” Meyer explained.
In Singapore, this shift is already evident. A recent Ministry of Manpower survey revealed that 83% of hiring managers are struggling to fill key tech vacancies. The labour market is tightening, not due to lack of interest, but because companies are reassessing which roles are truly necessary in this evolving landscape.
Supporting these findings, a report from IBM and Morning Consult showed that 99% of developers involved in AI-based projects are currently building or exploring the creation of autonomous AI agents for businesses.
Singapore’s cautious but deliberate stance on AI adoption was also noted by Meyer, who described the city-state’s leaders as “focused on getting implementation right, rather than rushing to be first”. He predicted major transformations could still be six to twelve months away.
The post-pandemic job market, particularly after significant tech layoffs in the past year, has left many skilled workers looking for opportunities, just as employers are reassessing the value AI can bring before resuming hiring.
“There’s a real moment of transition happening,” Meyer said. “Companies are observing how much more can be done with fewer resources by integrating AI into their systems.”
He also emphasised that the most successful firms will be those that effectively migrate workers away from routine tasks, assigning greater responsibilities while letting AI handle low-value work.
Looking ahead, Meyer anticipates a new generation of AI-native startups, which will likely collaborate with established firms, leveraging their data and infrastructure to thrive in this AI-first business environment.
