If China Can Do It, So Can SG
The Robots Are Here—And Singapore Can No Longer Afford to Watch from the Sidelines
Global technology is moving at a blistering pace, and if you want a clear window into where the world is heading, look no further than the annual World Robot Conference in Beijing. From automated mechanics and logistics handlers to advanced humanoid systems, international showcases demonstrate that robotics and artificial intelligence are no longer futuristic concepts confined to science fiction—they are rewriting the fabric of global economies.
If the world can do it, and if China can scale it with such relentless velocity, Singapore must do it.
As a small, resource-constrained nation, standing still is a luxury we do not possess.
For too long, technical education and STEM fields have been treated by many as optional academic electives or passive weekend hobbies. That mindset is a dangerous luxury. Today, STEM is not just a hobby; it is a fundamental means of economic survival. In an era defined by rapid automation, shifting supply chains, and fierce geopolitical competition, our survival depends on our ability to engineer, build, and adapt. SG's MOE's position is that as AI transforms the world, it becomes even more important that students develop competencies, dispositions and skills to thrive in an AI-transformed world.
Fortunately, we do not have to start from scratch. We have deep institutional templates waiting to be leveraged, and robotic games provide a brilliant place to start. Consider the Robotic Games Society (Singapore), which has been organising competitive robotics since 1993, attracting more than 500 international teams to take part in its events at its peak. This enduring initiative stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when academic institutions, researchers, and community organizations come together to push for a unified technological vision.
When academic bodies and technical guilds align, they create the exact ecosystem required to cultivate practical engineering talent. We need to reignite this collaborative spirit across our schools and tertiary institutions, transforming classrooms and labs into active incubators for real-world robotics and automation.
Singapore’s economic playbook has consistently demonstrated a remarkable reliance on foresight, agility, and the courage to embrace and master new frontiers well before the rest of the world compels our hand.
This proactive approach has been a cornerstone of our national strategy, allowing us to remain competitive and relevant in an ever-evolving global landscape. The emergence of robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering represents our next vital frontier, one that promises to redefine industries, enhance productivity, and transform our daily lives in unprecedented ways.
As we stand on the brink of this technological revolution, it is imperative that we shift our mindset and stop treating technology as merely an extracurricular distraction or a supplementary aspect of our economy. Instead, we must actively engage with these innovations, leveraging our strengths in collaborative engineering and interdisciplinary approaches to create solutions that are not only innovative but also sustainable and inclusive.
We need to dust off our existing frameworks for collaboration and innovation, ensuring they are equipped to handle the complexities and challenges posed by these advanced technologies. By doing so, we can lay the groundwork for a future that we actively shape and influence, rather than one that is dictated by external forces. It is our responsibility to build the future we envision, utilising our collective expertise and resources, and to do this before the landscape is irrevocably altered by others. This proactive stance will not only secure our position as a leader in the global economy but also foster an environment where creativity and technological advancement can flourish.
-------------------- The writer is a new volunteer with the RGS. Contact: ian.gan@smaths.com.
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