The Singapore Economic Roundtable (SER) is a biannual meeting of private sector economists, business leaders and policymakers. It provides a platform for participants to discuss the major cyclical issues facing the domestic economy and consider their consequences for monetary and fiscal policy. Each edition also features a Special Session on a contemporary issue of economic interest.
This year’s SER comes at a pivotal moment. The global economy faces heightened downside risks: continued weakness in the Chinese economy, uncertainty over US domestic policies, possible trade tensions, and shifting global monetary conditions.
Against this backdrop, the first session will examine the cyclical outlook for Singapore, with background from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and responses from private sector economists.
The Special Session will focus on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the economy. The transition to an AI-driven economy will require not only new infrastructure and platforms, but also strategies to manage workforce disruption and ensure the equitable distribution of AI’s benefits.
Key issues include:
· How AI adoption can boost productivity and growth through automation, process optimisation, and innovation.
· How labour markets may be reshaped as some jobs are automated while new roles emerge, requiring workforce adaptation and upskilling.
· How firms can harness data more effectively, as AI tools make advanced analytics accessible to a wider range of employees.
· What policy frameworks are needed to support competitiveness, inclusiveness, and resilience in an AI economy.
Global estimates suggest AI could contribute trillions of dollars to the world economy by 2030, with outcomes depending on the pace of adoption and its impact on productivity and consumption. For Singapore, realising this potential will require investment in AI data centres, advanced chips, and scalable application platforms. The Roundtable will explore how these economic and policy choices will shape Singapore’s position in the emerging AI economy.
Click here for the programme.
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