Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the hiring strategies of Singaporean businesses, according to new research by Remote, a global payroll and employment infrastructure company. The study found that every Singapore respondent acknowledged AI’s impact on their hiring practices, with 54% relocating roles to new markets and 46% expanding into new regions to acquire AI-skilled talent.
The research highlights the challenges Singapore faces in sourcing qualified talent, with 80% of local leaders finding it harder to secure talent than a year ago. Despite this, 89% of respondents expressed willingness to hire internationally if the process were as straightforward as domestic hiring, although cross-border recruitment remains complex.
Singaporean companies are primarily targeting Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia for international talent. Eli Chuah, Senior Solutions Consultant for APAC at Remote, noted, “AI is changing the workforce conversation in Singapore. Businesses are not only asking which tasks can be automated. They are asking where talent should be located, how teams should be structured, and what infrastructure they need to employ and pay people across borders.”
The study also revealed that 50% of Singaporean companies missed key business goals due to talent shortages, a figure significantly lower than the global average of 72%. As AI continues to influence workforce design, Singapore businesses are preparing for future needs by expanding their talent search both locally and internationally. By the end of 2026, 28% of Singapore respondents expect over half of their new hires to be based outside their primary country of operations.
