Singapore's desk workers are among the least sceptical about AI globally, yet only 6% use the technology as a core part of their daily work-nearly half the global average of 11%-according to a new Salesforce report released July 9. The gap points to a delivery problem that HR leaders are well-positioned to solve.
Just 29% of Singapore's desk workers identify as AI sceptics, the report found. That is lower than the global average of 37% and far below the 53% share recorded in the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Despite that willingness, Singapore's AI adoption ranks among the lowest in the markets surveyed.
Low scepticism, lower adoption
The disconnect is not about employee resistance. Paul Carvouni, SVP & GM, ASEAN, Salesforce, said, "Singapore workers are not standing in the way of AI - they're waiting for AI that works for them."
Nearly a third of respondents (31%) said they have experienced unsuccessful AI pilots. The top reasons for disappointment included:
- Generic output (40%)
- Low trust in output (30%)
- Results lacking business context (30%)
Why AI pilots fail
Carvouni said the poor pilots are "leaving real business potential on the table." The challenge is not employee enthusiasm but how employers roll out the tools.
Successful AI adoption, according to Salesforce's global findings, depends on the ecosystem built around the tools. That includes role-specific training, AI embedded into existing workflows, and non-negotiable data security. These elements matter more than the technology itself.
What successful rollouts look like
Salesforce's global data shows that firms that got AI adoption right did not rely on employee enthusiasm alone. They built an ecosystem that includes AI for Human Resources strategies, such as role-specific training, and integrated AI into daily workflows with strong data protections.
Carvouni said leaders must move past generic tools. "Do that, and adoption will not just follow. It becomes a competitive advantage for Singapore and the region," he said.
The report concluded: "The barrier to AI adoption is not cultural reluctance but a delivery gap. Closing the gap requires moving from experimentation to execution and advancing contextual, trustworthy AI experiences that Singapore's workforce has already signalled it is ready for."
Why this matters for HR
HR professionals are often the architects of rollout strategy, training, and change management. The Salesforce data shows that low adoption is not a people problem-it's a process problem. By insisting on AI tools that are embedded with company-specific context, backed by rigorous data security, and supported by role-based training, HR can turn a failed pilot into a genuine business advantage. The workforce is ready; the delivery just needs to match.
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