Organizations are missing out on up to 55% of AI productivity gains due to gaps in talent strategy

• 89% of employee respondents in Singapore (global 88%) use AI at work but primarily limited to basic tasks such as search, drafting communications and summarizing documents

• Half of Singapore employees (global 37%) worry that overreliance on AI could erode their skills and expertise

• 62% of Singapore employees (global 64%) report a perceived increase in workloads over the past year, yet only 7% (global 5%) are maximizing AI to transform their work

SINGAPORE, 18 DECEMBER 2025. The EY 2025 Work Reimagined Survey, which surveyed 15,000 employees and 1,500 employers across 29 countries, including 200 employees and 20 employers from Singapore, reveals a critical disconnect between artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and human readiness. However, the survey also found that when used effectively and on stable talent foundations, AI can unlock up to 55% (global 40%) more productivity gains within organizations.

While nearly nine out of 10 employees (Singapore 89%, global 88%) use AI at work, with 31% (global 37%) using AI daily, their usage is mostly limited to basic applications, such as search, drafting emails or communications and summarizing documents. Only a small number (Singapore 7%, global 5%) are using it in advanced ways to transform the way they work.

Notably, workplace AI anxieties are contributing to the value gap, despite widespread AI adoption. Half of employee respondents in Singapore (global 37%) worry that over-reliance on AI could erode their skills and expertise, and 40% (global 33%) are concerned about misinformation driven by deceptive but realistic content at scale. 

In addition, while 62% of Singapore employees (global 64%) report a perceived increase in workloads over the past year, only 5% (global 12%) are receiving sufficient AI training¹ to unlock the full productivity benefits. 

Furthermore, despite attempts by employers to offer internal tools, shadow AI is still prevalent; 26% of Singapore employees (global 38%) surveyed across various sectors are bringing their own AI solutions to work.

The survey highlights a critical disconnect; when AI adoption and new technology land on fragile talent foundations – weak culture, ineffective learning and misaligned rewards – the potential benefits of AI are significantly diminished. Organizations that effectively integrate talent and technology – what the research calls “Talent Advantage” – unlock greater value, yet, only 40% (global 28%) are on track to achieve this, according to the survey.

Samir Bedi, EY Asean People Consulting Leader, says:

“The Singapore workforce is embracing AI but most are still skimming the surface of what the technology can do. Real productivity gains will only come when organizations close the anxiety and skills gap. Employers need to invest in purposeful, hands-on AI training and create a safe environment for experimentation. They also need to move quickly in rolling out secure, effective AI tools. If formal solutions lag, employees will inevitably turn to external, unauthorized tools at work, increasing the risk of shadow AI.” 

The importance of learning and culture

In Singapore, talent health – a key indicator of employees as "net promoters" – rose by 8 points year-on-year, moving from 45 to 53 on a 0-100 index (an 18% lift), reflecting greater satisfaction with rewards, development and culture. Globally, talent health increased by 10 points year-on-year, moving from 55 to 65 on a 0-100 index (an 18% lift). This improvement coincides with a reduction in quit intent to 34% (global 29%), the lowest reported level in four years, compared to a peak of 51% (global 43%) during the “Great Resignation” in 2021.

In a cooling job market, employees are hunkering down. However, when it comes to AI, the picture is different. Leadership plays a vital role in fostering a supportive culture for adoption and continuous learning, which is essential for maintaining talent health. Leaders who care, trust and empower their teams set the tone for culture.

The survey also reveals that while investing in employee upskilling drives transformation, it presents retention challenges. Employee respondents in Singapore receiving over 81 hours of annual AI training report an average productivity gain of 15 hours per week (global 14 hours) – well above the median of six hours (global median of eight hours). However, these employees are also 55% (global 45%) more likely to leave their organization as AI talent is highly sought after and external opportunities outweigh internal promotion cycles. Employers can mitigate retention challenges by offering comprehensive total rewards, including access to technology, flexibility and career opportunities that leverage AI skills.

Talent advantage matters

The report highlights tensions between human factors and AI integration in five key areas: AI adoption excellence, learning, talent health, organizational culture and reward structures. Organizations excelling in these areas achieve a “Talent Advantage” and unlock transformational value from AI.

Bedi concludes:

“The survey shows that AI training is paying off in productivity but it also creates a new retention challenge. As AI-skilled talent becomes more marketable, organizations must pair upskilling with compelling career paths and total rewards to ensure that the people they invest in can see a future with them.”

To read the full report, please visit: https://www.ey.com/en_sg/insights/workforce/work-reimagined-survey  

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Notes to editors

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About the EY 2025 Work Reimagined Survey

In August 2025, the global EY organization conducted the sixth instalment of the Work Reimagined Survey to better understand the continued changes in global talent dynamics, AI adoption and work culture. The research included a survey of 15,000 employees and 1,500 employers from organizations with 1,000 or more global employees. Respondents represented 19 sectors and 29 countries covering the Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEIA (Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa). 

Footnote:

¹ Sufficient AI training refers to 81 and above hours of annual AI learning.