Embrace AI or risk being replaced, warns Anthony Tan
- Anthony Tan discussed the importance of integrating AI in the workplace at CONVERGE LIVE in Singapore.
- Many tech leaders are warning about the necessity to adapt to AI technology or face being outpaced by others.
- The consensus among industry leaders is that embracing AI will be crucial for business success in the coming years.
On March 12, 2025, the CONVERGE LIVE event took place in Singapore, gathering key figures from global tech and business sectors to discuss the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). Among the participants was Anthony Tan, the co-founder and CEO of Grab, who emphasized the necessity for both workers and companies to adopt AI for enhanced productivity. He described the implementation of AI technologies within Grab, highlighting innovations like the driver co-pilot program. Tan elaborated on his belief that not integrating AI could lead to businesses and employees being outpaced by competitors who utilize these technologies effectively. As the discussions progressed, various tech leaders echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing AI's role in improving efficiency and productivity across different sectors. Leading figures such as Marc Benioff from Salesforce and Guy Diedrich from Cisco expressed their views on the implications of AI, touching upon the need for organizations to trust AI’s integration while maintaining workforce adaptability amidst rapid technological advancements. High-profile discussions centered around the potential of new AI models like DeepSeek's open-sourced R1, which is reshaping the landscape of AI utilization worldwide. Tan further mentioned that over half of the employers surveyed expect to restructure their operations in response to AI technologies, with a significant number forecasting a complete transformation of their business processes before 2030. By pioneering an internal 'generative AI sprint,' Grab sought to acclimate its workforce to these changes, focusing on assisting employees in becoming 'superhuman' through AI. He provided a practical example involving a merchant AI assistant designed to support everyday entrepreneurs, such as a single mother in Jakarta managing a food business, showcasing the expansive benefits of AI integration in routine operations. Overall, the discussions at CONVERGE LIVE underscored a rising consensus among business leaders about the urgency of embracing AI. There was a clear indication that adaptation to AI innovations is pivotal for ensuring long-term sustainability in a competitive market, with Tan’s remarks serving as a clarion call to take actionable steps towards harnessing AI’s capabilities for productivity enhancement and entrepreneurial support in Southeast Asia and globally.