Human approval remains standard in Singapore firms’ HR use of AI

Human oversight remains widespread as Singapore employers adopt artificial intelligence for human resources work, a Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) survey published October 30 found. Across almost 3,000 reported uses of AI, 85% required a person to confirm the final decision.

The survey, conducted from June to July among 1,000 employers, found that 81% of organizations employing more than 200 people used AI in HR. That compared with 65% among small and medium enterprises with 200 or fewer employees.

Of the 15% of use cases where AI decisions did not require human approval, 73% involved routine administration or large volumes of work, including resume screening and skills assessments, SNEF said. Nearly all cases without sign-off still had a designated person able to override the technology.

Employers used AI more extensively in recruitment, employee learning and internal mobility than in matters involving departures, according to SNEF. President Kuah Boon Wee said oversight should reflect the consequences of a decision, with closer scrutiny where livelihoods are affected.

The most frequently cited concern was that excessive dependence on AI could weaken HR capabilities over time, raised by 39% of respondents. Uncertainty over when AI should take precedence over professional judgment concerned 36%, while 35% cited accountability for errors and 31% pointed to insufficient training.

SNEF has developed a support program combining AI adoption with workforce changes, including job redesign and skills analysis. Eligible businesses can seek funding through the Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+), covering up to 70% of costs for SMEs and 50% for non-SMEs, subject to a S$150,000 cap.