Despite the increasing demand for AI talent, Singapore workers are hesitant to confess using AI at work.

Across industries worldwide, the use of artificial intelligence has expanded, yet there remains some uncertainty about its appropriate application in the workplace.

In Singapore, 52% of employees are utilizing artificial intelligence in their jobs, as per Slack's Workforce Index, which surveyed over 17,000 workers across 15 countries in August, including 1,008 in Singapore.

The number of job postings for generative AI in the city-state has increased by 4.6 times between September 2023 and September 2024, as per Indeed.

Although the need for AI skills has increased in Singapore, 45% of workers in the country feel uneasy confessing to their managers that they are utilizing the technology for work-related tasks.

According to Slack's report, the top reasons for those who reported feeling that way were the fear of being seen as "incompetent," "lazy," or "cheating."

Christina Janzer, senior vice president of research and analytics at Slack, told CNBC Make It that workers are enthusiastic about AI but uncertain about how to implement it in the workplace, which is hindering broader AI adoption.

Janzer stated that leaders should not only train workers to use AI but also encourage open discussions and experimentation with AI among employees.

To foster innovation, businesses should provide the necessary time and space for experimentation, encourage employees to share their findings with colleagues, and lead by example by openly demonstrating how they are using the technology in their own jobs, she suggested.

Employers should give guidance on which AI tools are "approved and trusted" for use in their businesses and the tasks these tools can be used for, Janzer advised CNBC Make It.

Workers are unsure about the social and professional acceptability of using AI at work and are therefore keeping their usage concealed, as stated in Slack's report.

Although there is uncertainty, employees in Singapore are still determined to enhance their AI skills. In fact, 88% of them feel a sense of urgency to become AI experts, as per the report. However, the majority of workers in the country have only spent a total of less than five hours learning how to use artificial intelligence.

According to Slack's research, employers must address the training gap and establish AI guidelines to attract and retain employees who prefer more supportive workplaces.

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