The fourth series of our AIM CXO Forum, themed “Future-Proofing Singapore’s Innovation & Manufacturing: Talent, AI Technology, and Sustainability in the Next Industrial Era” was held virtually on Wednesday, 20 August 2025. Bringing together industry leaders and sustainability advocates to explore how Singapore can strengthen its position in the next industrial era, the discussion was framed around three pillars: talent, AI technology, and sustainability. The event was moderated by Renee Tan, Chairperson of Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing (AIM) Asia and featured a distinguished speakers lineup:
- Lawrence Chee, Country Manager, Epicor Singapore
- Dr. Khairill Rassidy, Strategic Partner, Deluge ProSAFE, Deluge Fire Protection SEA
- Lex Lee, Head of AI Automation, Technology Consulting, RSM Singapore
- Kenneth Ng, Deputy Chairman, Singapore Computer Society Sustainable Tech Group
From the outset, Renee set the stage by describing Industry 5.0 as more than just a continuation of Industry 4.0. This new era, she explained, is about human-centric innovation: pairing advanced technologies with human creativity and embedding sustainability into business models. The panelists then dove into the heart of the discussion, covering topics such as talent development, AI-driven transformation, and sustainability.
1. Talent: The Cornerstone of Industry 5.0
The panel emphasized that Singapore’s greatest challenge and its biggest opportunity lies in cultivating and retaining talent. While technological tools continue to advance, it is ultimately people who determine whether organisations can adapt, innovate, and thrive. Lawrence highlighted the rising demand for hybrid professionals who can bridge both technology and business, operating advanced systems while also aligning them with strategic objectives.
From a safety and engineering standpoint, Dr. Khairill underscored that even the most advanced AI systems are only as effective as the professionals who oversee them. In critical areas like fire protection and risk management, predictive insights must be interpreted and applied by skilled experts. The discussion made clear that talent should not be viewed as a cost but as a long-term investment. Singapore’s ability to nurture a workforce that combines creativity, adaptability, and technical fluency will be key to its resilience and competitiveness in the Industry 5.0 era.
2. AI and Digital Transformation as Business Enablers
The conversation emphasized that AI adoption and digital transformation are central to maintaining competitiveness in manufacturing and other sectors. The speakers stressed that AI should be viewed as a practical tool for enhancing resilience and efficiency, not merely as an isolated project or futuristic goal. Lawrence illustrated this with Epicor’s ERP experience, showing how integrating data and leveraging AI-driven analytics helps manufacturers respond swiftly to supply chain disruptions.
Dr. Khairill expanded on AI’s role in predictive risk management, particularly in safety-sensitive contexts, where AI can process vast amounts of data to anticipate hazards and prevent accidents. He cautioned that AI’s benefits are only realized when embedded into everyday workflows, making tools both accessible and actionable for users. Overall, the discussion highlighted that digital transformation is not about adopting technology for its own sake, but about creating systems that enable faster, smarter decision-making and greater organisational agility in an unpredictable global environment.
3. Sustainability: From Obligation to Opportunity
The third theme, sustainability, was presented as both a moral duty and a competitive advantage. Kenneth highlighted the urgent need for green technologies and carbon reduction, noting that sustainability is increasingly central to how industries are assessed, regulated, and rewarded.
Lex emphasized that sustainability must be integrated into corporate strategy and governance, rather than added on as an afterthought. He pointed out that investors, regulators, and consumers demand accountability, and companies that embrace sustainability early can gain a competitive edge. The discussion underscored that beyond regulatory compliance, true long-term value comes from using sustainability to drive innovation, trust, and profitability.
Poll Discussions
The session also featured interactive polls to check on where organisations currently stand in their sustainability and digital transformation journeys.
The first poll asked whether participants’ organisations had already started capturing carbon emissions using a system. Responses revealed that while there is growing awareness, adoption remains limited. Most organisations had yet to implement formal carbon-tracking systems, highlighting both a challenge and an opportunity. The panel reflected that this gap underscores the urgency for businesses to move beyond reporting intentions and to invest in data-driven sustainability solutions.
The second poll focused on the future of digital transformation, asking if organisations were planning to re-evaluate or implement an AI-infused ERP system, and within what timeframe. The results showed a cautious but clear interest in AI-driven ERP adoption. Some participants indicated near-term plans, while others viewed it as a longer-term objective.
The third poll turned attention to investment, asking how much participants allocate to their IT budgets when re-evaluating or implementing ERP systems. Responses varied widely, with some indicating modest allocations while others signaled larger commitments. This reflected the diversity of organisational maturity in digital transformation.
Taken together, the polls painted a picture of organisations at different stages of readiness. While carbon tracking systems remain underutilized, there is clear momentum toward AI-infused ERP adoption, though investment strategies are uneven. The panel urged companies to treat these areas not as optional add-ons, but as core enablers of resilience, compliance, and competitiveness in the years ahead.
HASHTAQS wraps up Virtual AIM Asia CXO Forum 2025
In closing, the forum summarised a few key takeaways. First, talent is the bedrock of future-proofing. Without the right people, even the best technologies cannot deliver meaningful results. Second, AI is not just about efficiency but about resilience, offering companies the agility to anticipate and respond to disruptions. And third, sustainability must be embraced as both a responsibility and an opportunity, giving forward-looking businesses a strategic advantage in the global economy.
The panel agreed on a collective call to action: for Singapore to thrive in the next industrial era, it must align people, technology, and sustainability into a unified vision. This event was not just a conversation about future trends, it was a roadmap for how Singapore’s innovation and manufacturing sectors can lead responsibly and competitively in Industry 5.0.
Watch full panel discussion here.
From Vision to Execution: Start Today
The Virtual AIM CXO Forum 2025, part of the AIM CXO Forum series previously held in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang, has set a strong foundation for AI-powered manufacturing in ASEAN. This momentum now builds toward AIM Asia Week 2025 (11–12 September, in Penang, Malaysia), the premier gathering for leaders in semiconductors, electronics, biotech, medtech, green tech, and more.
Be part of the movement propelling Advanced Manufacturing toward Sustainable Industry 5.0 in the Quantum Horizon.
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