Across Singapore, AI is already changing jobs faster than most expect. AI now drives decisions across banking, healthcare, logistics, and even creative work. Yet more than 70% of Singaporeans have not used their $500 SkillsFuture Credit, which expires at the end of 2025.
In a MoneyFM 89.3 feature, Generative AI Instructor John Amos from Vertical Institute explained why this is the moment to act. He shared that learning AI isn’t about becoming a coder or software engineer. It’s about knowing how to make tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot handle repetitive tasks so you can focus on what really matters: thinking, creating, and deciding.AI isn’t some distant skill for the next generation. It’s already built into how Singapore works and learns. For anyone who feels stuck managing reports, responding to endless emails, or sorting data, AI can take the load off. The question now is simple: will you learn to guide it before it guides you?
Quick Takeaways
- Over 70% of Singaporeans haven’t used their expiring $500 SkillsFuture Credit.
- AI is already reshaping how Singapore works across finance, healthcare, and logistics.
- You don’t need coding skills to learn AI, just a task you’d like to automate at work.
- Courses at Vertical Institute are built for beginners and eligible for multiple subsidies.
- Stacking SkillsFuture, PSEA, and UTap can reduce your course cost, sometimes to zero.
- The shift isn’t about AI replacing people, it’s about people using AI gaining the edge.
Table of contents
- Quick Takeaways
- Why AI Skills Matter More Than Ever
- What It Means to Be AI-Fluent
- Common Misconceptions About AI Upskilling
- How AI Is Already Changing Singapore Workplaces
- John Amos on Simplifying AI Training for Singaporeans
- Choosing the Right AI Course Based on Your Job Role
- FAQs: What You Need to Know Before Getting Started
- Final Word: Use Your SkillsFuture Credit Before It’s Gone
Why AI Skills Matter More Than Ever
Artificial intelligence is reshaping work faster than the internet ever did. John pointed out that AI already influences how Singaporeans work, shop, study, and receive healthcare. It’s everywhere: from fraud detection in banks to triage systems in hospitals. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has urged Singaporeans to build future-ready skills, with AI at the centre. Employers are responding, now listing AI proficiency as a key requirement across industries.
John believes the real value of upskilling lies in control. Most people already use AI passively through apps and automation, but few know how to guide it. Learning AI means taking the wheel, finishing hours of work in less time, and focusing on what matters. Which brings us to the next question: what does it actually mean to be AI-fluent?
What It Means to Be AI-Fluent
Being AI-fluent isn’t about coding or understanding how the tech works. As John explained, it’s about using AI comfortably, like having a co-pilot for your daily tasks. Whether you’re drafting reports, summarising emails, or planning schedules, fluency comes from asking better questions and guiding the tools.
It’s like driving. You don’t build the car, but you should know how to steer it. Tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot help you save time, cut down on manual work, and improve your results. For John, AI fluency is about confidence, not complexity. That’s why he doesn’t start with theory, he starts with use cases you can apply immediately.
Related Article: AI Basics: 15 Terms Every Beginner Should Know
Common Misconceptions About AI Upskilling
John hears the same concerns repeatedly, and they often stop people from starting. Let’s break them down.
Myth 1: AI Is Too Technical to Learn
Many believe learning AI means understanding robotics or writing code. John says this isn’t true. In fact, most of us already use AI every day, we just don’t realise it. If you’ve used facial recognition to unlock your phone or relied on Grab to find the fastest route, you’ve already interacted with AI.
The real issue isn’t access, it’s control. Most people use AI passively, without ever learning how to guide it. Upskilling means switching from being a user to being in charge of how the tool works for you.
Myth 2: AI Will Replace People
People who know how to use AI will replace those who don’t, not the other way around. The tools aren’t taking over. They’re shifting what’s expected in each role.
That’s exactly why courses at Vertical Institute focus on real, workplace-ready applications. Many learners walk in saying they’re “not tech savvy”. By the end, they’re surprised by how straightforward AI actually is and how quickly they can use it to save time at work.
It’s not about being good at tech. It’s about becoming familiar enough to let AI handle the boring parts so you can focus on the work that matters.
How AI Is Already Changing Singapore Workplaces
AI is already embedded across Singapore’s industries. It’s not experimental; it’s part of daily operations. John pointed out that banks now use AI to detect fraud in real time, while hospitals rely on it in A&E to assess which patients need care first.
In logistics, AI helps predict demand, reduce delays, and streamline workflows. Creative teams use it to brainstorm, draft content, and personalise materials. From marketers to writers, professionals now turn to tools to speed up ideation and improve results.
For John, the value comes down to productivity. AI saves time, sharpens focus, and helps finish hours of work in minutes. That’s why John focuses on practical tools, not just theory, because learning AI only matters when it works the very next day.
Related Article: 10 Advantages of AI in the Workplace: How It Boosts Productivity & Performance
John Amos on Simplifying AI Training for Singaporeans
If you’re unsure where to start, John suggests asking, ‘What’s one task at work you’d like to automate?’ That’s your entry point.
At Vertical Institute, AI upskilling begins with practical tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity — all immediately useful in roles across admin, HR, logistics, and retail. The
beginner Generative AI course runs for seven sessions, is SkillsFuture Credit-eligible, and welcomes learners with no tech background. You can also stack funding support through PSEA and NTUC UTAP to lower the cost further.
John shared that many learners begin unsure, but by the end, they often say, “Now I know I can use AI too.” The course isn’t just about tools — it builds confidence. You’ll learn how to prompt better and ask smarter questions. Everything taught is built to be useful the next day, not some day.
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Choosing the Right AI Course Based on Your Job Role
Once you understand what slows you down at work, it’s easier to decide where AI fits. John explained that upskilling starts with identifying those real entry points. The goal is to move straight into applications that actually save time on the job.
If You’re in Admin or HR
AI can help summarise long emails, draft internal reports, and take over schedule planning. These tasks take up time daily, automating them frees you to focus on higher-level work.
If You’re in Marketing
AI can support campaign brainstorming, help generate presentation content, and even write early-stage copy. It speeds up creative work so you can get to refining and executing faster.
If You’re in Logistics or Operations
AI tools can reduce manual data handling, automate recurring tasks, and help with decision-making by predicting trends or streamlining processes. This means smoother operations with fewer delays.
The Vertical Institute course doesn’t separate AI from your daily work. We bring AI directly into you daily work. That’s why learners walk away feeling like they’ve added something useful, not just theoretical. Once you’ve built the foundation, applying it becomes second nature.
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FAQs: What You Need to Know Before Getting Started
Do I need a tech background to take an AI course?
No. As John shared, most learners at Vertical Institute come from non-tech roles in HR, logistics, admin, and retail. You don’t need to code or understand technical systems. You just need to be willing to learn.
How long does it take to become AI-fluent?
According to John, it doesn’t take years. It takes consistent use. Fluency comes from familiarity, the more you work with AI tools, the more naturally they fit into your workflow. Most learners build confidence after just a few sessions.
What will I learn in a beginner course?
You’ll learn how to use tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity. Courses also cover prompt writing, summarising documents, drafting emails, and applying AI ethically. The focus is on hands-on productivity, not academic theory.
Is $500 enough to cover the cost of an AI course?
Yes. The current $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up, which expires on 31 December, can be used for eligible courses like those at Vertical Institute. On top of that, all Singaporeans aged 25 and above also have a separate, permanent $500 opening credit.
You can stack these with PSEA and NTUC UTAP support. In many cases, this combination can cover the full cost of the course.
Will AI help me in my current job?
Very likely. John highlighted how AI fits into all kinds of roles, from writing reports to handling daily admin. If you’ve got repetitive work, AI can reduce it. That frees you up to focus on higher-value tasks.
Final Word: Use Your SkillsFuture Credit Before It’s Gone
John didn’t mince words. “Don’t wait.” The SkillsFuture Credit is a gift. If left unused, it’s just potential sitting idle. For Singaporeans aged 25 and above, this is more than a funding opportunity. It’s a signal from the government that upskilling isn’t optional, it’s expected.
John reminded listeners that AI isn’t some distant future. It’s already reshaping the way we work, and it’s moving fast. Learning how to use it now opens doors to roles and responsibilities you may not even know exist yet.
The Generative AI course at Vertical Institute is built for working adults. It doesn’t assume a tech background. It shows you how to use everyday tools to work smarter, faster, and with more focus. Whether you’re handling admin, writing reports, or planning schedules, there’s something you can automate.
Use your SkillsFuture Credit before it expires. Get the course sorted. Be part of the shift now!
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