Singapore AI adoption hits 74%, but job security confidence falls to 69%: PwC

Singapore workers are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) faster than their global counterparts, but confidence in job security has declined over the past two years. As per PwC's Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2026, economic uncertainty, automation, and changing workplace demands weigh on employees.

The survey found that 74% of Singapore respondents had used AI at work in the previous 12 months, up from 69% in 2025 and above the global average of 64%. 

However, only 69% were moderately to extremely confident about their job security over the next 12 months, down from 72% in 2025 and 84% in 2024.

Globally, job security confidence remained stable at 84% in 2026, compared with 85% in 2025 and 84% in 2024.

The Singapore findings, released on 12 October, draw on responses from 1,000 local workers as part of a global survey of 49,364 employees across 48 territories, conducted in May and June 2026.

AI use outpaces global average

Singapore continued to report higher workplace AI adoption than the global average. Daily generative AI (gen AI) use stood at 28%, compared with 22% globally, while 12% of Singapore respondents used AI agents daily, against 10% worldwide.

Weekly and daily gen AI use combined increased to 45%, up from 41% a year earlier.

“Singapore’s strong AI adoption is unsurprising given its position as a highly competitive economy and continued investments in AI upskilling,” PwC said.

Workers also reported benefits from AI adoption. Some 72% said AI had improved the quality of their work, while 63% said it had enhanced their creativity. However, only 32% said AI helped with some of the most complex and difficult aspects of their jobs.

Confidence in job security was higher among workers who used gen AI daily. About 75% of daily users expressed confidence in their job security, compared with 61% of those who had not used AI at work in the past year.

Most respondents also reported positive feelings about AI adoption, with 74% saying they felt empowered, 73% confident and 71% energised by its increasing use at work.

Economic uncertainty tops job concerns

Economic volatility was the leading perceived threat to job security over the next three years, cited as a moderate or major threat by 60% of Singapore respondents, compared with 57% globally.

AI taking on more tasks ranked second, with 53% of respondents in Singapore identifying it as a threat, against 44% globally.

Other concerns included conflicts between countries (51%), robotics and automation taking on more tasks (48%) and work moving to lower-cost locations (47%). Each was rated as a greater threat in Singapore than globally.

The findings also pointed to growing work demands associated with AI. Half of Singapore respondents said AI had increased the complexity of their jobs, while 46% said it had added to their workload. Meanwhile, 62% reported using more skills in their roles.

Fatigue and burnout emerged as the leading factor limiting productivity, cited by 36% of respondents in Singapore, nine percentage points above the global figure of 27%.

Although 58% said they had experienced more workplace change over the past year, in line with the global average, 45% found the amount and pace of change difficult to manage, compared with 42% globally.

“Our research shows that Singapore workers are already seeing tangible benefits from AI, yet many remain uncertain about what it means for their future,” said PwC Singapore executive chairman and chief executive Marcus Lam.

Pay and skills remain priorities

Against a backdrop of uncertainty, pay and benefits were the top job priority for Singapore workers, cited by 65% of respondents, compared with the global average of 57%.

Some 54% said they planned to seek a pay rise in the next 12 months, up from 50% in 2025. Meanwhile, 38% intended to change employers, down from 43% a year earlier.

The survey also highlighted gaps in future skills readiness. Only 67% of Singapore respondents said they understood the skills they would need in the future, below the global average of 70%. Similarly, 65% said they had access to the learning and development resources they needed, compared with 70% globally.

Concern about the accuracy or quality of AI outputs was the biggest barrier to greater workplace AI use in Singapore, cited by 32% of respondents, compared with 25% globally.

“As a result, many workers are navigating a period of increased uncertainty about their future at work,” it said.

The consultancy said the benefits of AI were emerging alongside “rising cost pressures, evolving job requirements, and growing concern about AI’s impact on jobs”.