Closing the AI Talent Gap in Asia — What the Corporations and Governments Are Doing About it

According to PWC AI Jobs Barometer report (Singapore):

• Skills required for AI-exposed jobs are changing 25% faster than in less exposed jobs.

• In the Professional Services sector, one in 100 job posts required AI skills in 2012. Today, 21 in 100 job posts require AI skills.

• On average, job postings demanding AI skills are associated with a 7% wage premium.

This article will explore:

• The AI talent gap problem in Asia

• Why does the AI talent gap exist in the first place?

• Initiatives taken by Asian companies to Address the Gap.

• Asian government policies to foster the next generation of AI experts.

Let’s dive in:

The AI-Talent Gap Problem in Asia

The demand for AI talent in Asia is increasing yearly, but the region faces a significant talent shortage. Why?

Like their global counterparts, Asian companies face intense competition for skilled professionals in AI and machine learning (ML). Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Alibaba aggressively recruit, often offering compensation packages that smaller firms struggle to match.

This talent shortage is intensified by the constant advancements in AI technologies, particularly in machine learning operations (MLOps), which demand highly specialized skill sets.

A report by LinkedIn highlights the unprecedented rise in AI specialist roles across sectors, from finance to healthcare. Yet, many companies cannot fill these positions due to a lack of qualified candidates.

Traditional hiring strategies need to be more effective in this high-stakes environment. While there has been a growing trend in education and training, technological evolution has outstripped the supply of skilled workers, creating a sense of urgency among Asian businesses to upskill their existing teams.

Why Does the Talent Gap Exist in the First Place?

Despite being the most populated continent in the world, How can Asia face such talent gaps?

Here are three reasons why:

1. The required skillset changes daily: 

While universities have been expanding their curriculums to include AI and ML courses, the evolution of subfields like deep learning and neural networks requires ongoing, up-to-date training that many institutions still need to provide.

2. Attrition Problem Due to Tech Giants:

As discussed above, Asian companies struggle to retain top AI talent as global tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon offer significantly higher salaries. These companies have enough resources to create an environment where smaller companies cannot compete.

3. Misalignment Between Business and Talent Needs: '

Many businesses need help understanding how to leverage AI talent effectively. For example, companies often prioritize hiring Ph. D.s from high-brand institutions like Stanford or MIT but overlook the importance of practical experience. This results in hiring professionals with theoretical knowledge but needing more hands-on experience.

How are Asian corporations and governments solving this AI talent gap problem?

Corporate Initiatives to Address the Gap

1. Grab’s AI Fellowship (Southeast Asia)

Ride-hailing and delivery giant Grab launched an AI Fellowship in Southeast Asia to foster the next generation of AI leaders.

The fellowship provides a full-time, one-year paid opportunity for participants to work on AI research and applications related to Grab’s core services. Participants also receive mentorship from AI experts and are exposed to real-world AI challenges in the transportation and logistics sectors.

What did it result in?: Grab has successfully trained over 100 AI fellows, many of whom have been hired into full-time AI roles within the company. The fellowship has helped Grab build an internal AI team while supporting regional talent development in Southeast Asia.

2. Hyundai’s Autonomous Driving Program (South Korea):

The company has been at the forefront of AI talent development, particularly in autonomous driving. Hyundai partnered with top universities to create a specialized Autonomous Vehicle Engineering program that combines AI with robotics, data science, and engineering. 

The program trains both new graduates and existing employees, with a strong focus on practical applications in self-driving technology.

What did it result in?: The program has accelerated Hyundai’s autonomous vehicle development, making it a leading player in AI-powered transportation. It has also ensured a steady supply of AI talent with industry-specific skills, crucial for the company's long-term growth in the AI and mobility sector.

3. SoftBank’s Global AI Talent Initiative (Japan):

SoftBank launched a Global AI Talent Initiative to train AI professionals worldwide, focusing particularly on Japan and other parts of Asia.

Through partnerships with institutions like the University of Tokyo, SoftBank offers scholarships, internships, and AI-focused coursework that prepares students for AI research and application roles.

SoftBank aims to cultivate a workforce capable of driving the next generation of AI innovation in sectors like robotics, telecommunications, and healthcare.

Outcome: The initiative has led to the successful placement of numerous AI professionals within SoftBank’s diverse portfolio of companies, including its robotics division. It has also contributed to Japan’s national AI talent pool, helping it maintain its competitive edge in advanced technology.

To drastically change the AI Asian landscape, corporations alone won’t be enough.
National governments decided to join forces with their checklist of initiatives to shape the continent’s AI workforce.

Asian government policies to foster the next generation of AI experts.

1. National AI Strategy:

Singapore’s “National AI Strategy” aims to train 25,000 AI professionals by 2025. The strategy includes:

• The AI Apprenticeship Program (AIAP) offers hands-on experience to fresh graduates and mid-career professionals transitioning into AI roles.

• The AI for Everyone (AI4E) initiative aims to introduce AI basics and raise awareness among the general public.

2. New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan:

Launched in China, the plan includes billions of dollars in funding for AI research, startups, and infrastructure, aiming to position China as the global AI leader by 2030. This has resulted in a massive surge in AI-focused university programs and research labs nationwide.

3. Digital India program:

Launched by the Indian government, this program strongly focuses on AI talent development through collaborations with private tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

The partnerships are focused on training students and professionals in AI technologies through certifications, online courses, and industry placements.