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2023

  • 3 min read

Healthcare in the Future - A Glimpse into the Year 2060

Imagine you're a scientist with the ability to time-travel to the year 2060—37 years into the future. You take a trip into one possible future and witness a fictitious dialogue between a doctor and a patient in the Singapore healthcare system.

Doctor: "Alamak, Uncle Tan! You look more radiant than usual today. How are you feeling?"

Patient: "Aiya, Doctor, you know lah, I'm feeling much better. I've heard that the healthcare system in Singapore is now one of the most advanced in the world. It provides high-quality, affordable healthcare not only to Singaporean citizens but also to people around the globe. Is it true that the system maintains high-quality care while expanding globally and reducing costs?"

Doctor: "Eh, Uncle Tan, of course, it's true lah! The government has continued to invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure, research, and education. This has resulted in a highly skilled and competent workforce of healthcare professionals. We have the most impressive healthcare system in the world!"

Patient: "Wah, really ah? That's a major breakthrough. Can you tell me more about the global expansion?"

Doctor: "Certainly. Singapore has established a reputation as a global leader in healthcare innovation and remote medical delivery. This success is due to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, education, and research. We have a highly skilled and experienced workforce capable of delivering world-class care at lower costs. Additionally, the country has forged strong partnerships with other nations, providing consulting services and sharing expertise to develop healthcare systems around the world."

Patient: "That's truly amazing. I'm concerned about accessibility and affordability though. Is healthcare expensive here?"

Doctor: "Don't worry lah, Uncle Tan. Healthcare costs less than a cup of kopi-o here. Advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and telemedicine, have streamlined processes and improved efficiency. This allows healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care at lower costs. Additionally, advancements in medical research have led to the development of new treatments and medications that are more affordable and accessible."

Patient: "Oh my gosh! I like the sound of that! Can everyone benefit from these advancements?"

Doctor: "Absolutely. Singapore has embraced a more patient-centered approach, shifting towards a preventative and holistic healthcare model with a greater emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles. This approach is likely to improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs over time."

Patient: "It sounds like healthcare in Singapore in 2060 is very promising. I'm glad I can benefit from these advancements today and perhaps even live to celebrate my 100th birthday."

Doctor: "Absolutely, Mr. Tan. Our goal is to provide the best possible care to all our patients. Singapore's best-case healthcare scenario for 2060—characterized by advanced technology, personalized care, a focus on prevention, and a high level of accessibility and affordability—bodes well for patients worldwide. Remember, the key is to stay healthy and happy at a low cost. Jia you!"

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

未來的醫療保健 - 瞥見2060年的景象

想像你是一位有能力穿越時間到2060年的科學家——這是37年後的未來。你走進了一個可能的未來，見證了在新加坡醫療系統中一位醫生和病人之間的虛構對話。

醫生："天啊，陳叔叔！你今天看起來比平常更有活力。你感覺如何?"

病人： "哎呀，醫生，你知道我現在感覺好多了。我聽說新加坡的醫療系統現在是全球最先進的之一。它不僅為新加坡公民，還為全球人民提供高質量，負擔得起的醫療保健。系統能讓我們在成本下降的同時保持高品質的護理並擴展全球業務，這是真的嗎?"

醫生： "嗯，陳叔叔，當然是真的啦！政府一直在醫療基礎設施，研究和教育上投入大量資金。這產生了一支技術嫻熟，能力強大的醫療保健專業人員。我們擁有全世界最卓越的醫療系統！"

病人： "哇，真的嗎? 這是重大突破。你能跟我說更多關於全球擴張的事嗎?"

醫生： "當然可以。新加坡建立了作為全球醫療創新和遠程醫療提供者的領導者的聲譽。這種成功是由於對醫療基礎設施，教育和研究的持續投資。我們擁有一支技術精湛，經驗豐富的工作人員，能夠以低廉的成本提供世界級的護理。此外，該國與其他國家建立了強大的合作關係，提供咨詢服務並分享專業知識，以發展全球的醫療保健系統."

病人： "這真是讓人驚歎。我對可及性和可負擔性有些擔憂。這裡的醫療保健費用貴嗎?"

醫生： "不用擔心，陳叔叔。這裡的醫療保健費用比一杯咖啡還要少。技術的進步，如人工智能，機器人和遠程醫療，使過程變得更為精簡，效率也提高了。這讓醫療提供者能夠以較低的成本提供高質量的護理。另外，醫療研究的進步帶來了新的治療方法和藥物，這些都更具可負擔性和可獲得性。"

病人： "天啊！我喜歡這聽起來的樣子！每個人都能從這些進步中受益嗎?"

醫生： "當然。新加坡已經接受了更以病人為中心的方法，向以預防和全人關懷的醫療模式轉變，並更加重視推廣健康的生活方式。這種方法可能會改善病人的結果，提高病人的滿意度，並隨著時間的推移降低醫療費用。

病人： "聽起來新加坡在2060年的醫療保健非常有希望。我很高興我今天就可以從這些進步中受益，也許甚至可以活到100歲生日。"

醫生： "當然，陳先生。我們的目標是為所有病人提供最佳的護理。新加坡對2060年最佳的醫療保健情況的設想 - 包括先進的技術，個性化的護理，預防為主，高度的可及性和可負擔性 - 對全球病人都是一個好消息。記住，關鍵是以最低的成本保持健康和快樂。加油！"

  • 3 min read

Thinking About the Future with ChatGPT

Recently, I've been pondering the future of work in the context of ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The concept is ever-changing due to technological advancements and societal shifts, continuously reshaping our work landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated some trends, like automation, while introducing new challenges that compel us to reconsider how we'll work in the future.

There's speculation that ChatGPT could replace jobs, especially white-collar roles like lawyers, doctors, and accountants. This technology has made waves in the business world, rapidly reaching the peak of the hype cycle. Experts suggest that ChatGPT and other forms of generative AI could pose threats to various professions.

A 2013 University of Oxford study predicted that 47% of US jobs could be automated by AI. ChatGPT has the potential to replace entry-level coders and has already been employed to write cover letters, children's books, and student essays. Jobs in media, such as content creation, technical writing, and journalism, are also increasingly vulnerable to AI technologies.

Traditionally, white-collar jobs have relied on human skills to analyze and interpret vast amounts of linguistic data. Generative AI can now undertake these tasks, capable of not just reading and writing but also understanding human languages. These capabilities have been propelled by advances in AI algorithms, the availability of large data sets, and cloud computing technology.

However, human productivity could see substantial gains if AI is used as a complement to human labor rather than as a total replacement. For instance, it's unlikely that AI would entirely automate the legal industry, which still requires a degree of human judgment. Similarly, while chatbots have begun to replace some customer service roles, many customers still prefer the human touch to robotic interactions.

The future where ChatGPT can perform tasks like reporting and writing more efficiently than humans is promising. This efficiency would free people to address more complex problems requiring human judgment.

Since Google's founding in 1998, automation and AI have been transformative forces across many industries, a trend likely to continue. Jobs involving repetitive tasks or requiring low-level skills are most at risk for automation, while roles demanding critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence will become more valuable. Workers who adapt and acquire new skills will be better positioned to thrive in this evolving job market.

Thinking about the future of work with ChatGPT serves as a form of planning and forecasting. It involves entertaining multiple possibilities, challenging our assumptions, and weighing the potential outcomes of various choices. This skill is increasingly vital in our rapidly changing world and can be beneficial for career advancement and community engagement.

Future thinking with ChatGPT helps individuals and organizations anticipate trends and adapt to change. By identifying potential challenges and opportunities, we can formulate proactive strategies to navigate the shifts effectively.

Considering multiple possible future scenarios allows us to make informed decisions aligned with our values and long-term goals. It also fosters community dialogue, creating a shared vision for the future and exploring diverse possibilities. Keeping an eye on new trends in AI can reveal emerging opportunities for both career development and community involvement.

In summary, contemplating the future of work with ChatGPT suggests that AI could serve as a valuable tool for both professional and personal growth. While AI may replace certain jobs, it could also create new opportunities in fields requiring human creativity and judgment.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

與ChatGPT一起思考未來

最近，我一直在思考ChatGPT和人工智能（AI）在工作未來中的角色。由於技術進步和社會變遷，這個概念總是在不斷變化，持續改變我們的工作景觀。COVID-19大流行加速了一些趨勢，如自動化，同時引入新的挑戰，促使我們重新考慮我們將來如何工作。

有人猜測ChatGPT可能會取代工作，特別是像律師、醫生和會計師這樣的白領職位。這項技術在商界引起了波瀾，迅速達到了炒作周期的高峰。專家們認為ChatGPT和其他形式的生成AI可能對各種行業產生威脅。

2013年牛津大學的一項研究預測，47％的美國工作可能會被AI自動化。ChatGPT有潛力取代初級編碼員，並已經被用來寫求職信、兒童書籍和學生論文。媒體的工作，如內容創建、技術寫作和新聞記者，也越來越容易受到AI技術的影響。

傳統上，白領工作依賴於人類技能來分析和解釋大量的語言數據。生成AI現在可以執行這些任務，不僅能夠閱讀和寫作，還能理解人類語言。這些能力得益於AI算法的進步、大數據的可用性和雲計算技術的發展。

然而，如果AI被用作人力勞動的補充，而不是完全替代，人類的生產力可能會有很大的提高。例如，AI不太可能完全自動化法律行業，這仍然需要一定程度的人為判斷。同樣，雖然聊天機器人已經開始取代一部分客戶服務角色，但許多客戶仍然更喜歡人類的接觸，而不是機器人的互動。

ChatGPT能比人更有效地執行報告和寫作的未來讓人充滿期待。這種效率能讓人們有時間去處理需要人類判斷的更加複雜的問題。

自Google於1998年成立以來，自動化和AI已成為許多行業內變革的力量，這種趨勢可能會繼續下去。涉及重複任務或需要低級技能的工作最容易被自動化，而需要批評性思考、創造力和情感智慧的角色將變得更有價值。適應並獲得新技能的工人將在這個不斷變化的就業市場中獲得更好的生存條件。

與ChatGPT一起思考工作的未來是一種規劃和預測的方式。這涉及到考慮多種可能性，挑戰我們的假設，並衡量各種選擇的可能結果。這種技能在我們快速變化的世界中越來越重要，對於職業晉升和社區參與都非常有益。

與ChatGPT一起思考未來幫助個人和組織預見趨勢並適應變化。通過識別可能的挑戰和機會，我們可以制定主動的策略，有效地應對變化。

考慮多種可能的未來情景讓我們能做出與我們的價值觀和長期目標一致的明智決定。它還促進了社區對話，創造了對未來的共享願景，並探討了多元的可能性。關注AI的新趨勢可以揭示出在職業發展和社區參與方面的新機遇。

總的來說，與ChatGPT一起思考工作的未來顯示，AI可以作為職業和個人發展的有價值的工具。雖然AI可能取代某些工作，但它也可以在需要人類創造力和判斷力的領域創造新的機會。

  • 3 min read

The Ongoing Revolution in Technology and Its Impact on Work

Today, while attending a class for my Master's in Technology in Digital Leadership at the National University of Singapore (NUS), my professor offered a prediction about technology's landscape a decade from now. This prompted me to reflect on the future of work. How will work evolve, and how can we prepare to stay relevant? What impact will this have on society, and should we be concerned about the advance of technologies like artificial intelligence?

I believe there's no need for concern if we shift our focus from technology to the customer. Although technology keeps evolving, customer needs remain constant. Tools and equipment may change, but fundamental human demands persist. Business models evolve, yet the core purpose of business remains unchanged. Despite the advances associated with Industry 4.0, we are still struggling to provide optimal customer experiences.

A decade ago, phone banking was incredibly frustrating. I had a simple question, called the customer service line, and got a recorded menu instead of a human response. Even today, the frustration persists with advanced technologies like chatbots, which often fail to understand straightforward queries while human operators remain unreachable.

Banks invest heavily in digital transformation, but they also waste a lot. They spend hours posting on social media to engage customers, who forget about these interactions within minutes. They create subscription models that customers rarely revisit. They generate digital documents, emails, and files that often get lost in the cloud rather than serving the customer effectively.

We have reached a point where technology is advanced and user-friendly enough to be effectively integrated to better serve our customers. This is not just about productivity; it's also about meaningful customer engagement. If banks don't continually improve the customer experience, they will remain stuck in mediocrity, regardless of their innovative financial products.

Digital transformation is not just about technology; it's primarily about the customer. While technology plays a role, the real transformation lies in serving customer needs more effectively through improved operations, mass customization, and new offers.

Contrary to popular belief, ATMs didn't eliminate bank teller jobs. No technology can transform an industry unless it is linked to an emerging market through a viable business model. Interestingly, the technology driving digital companies' explosive growth often isn't even that sophisticated. For impactful changes, all you need is a system that can perform tasks traditionally handled by humans more efficiently.

From a societal perspective, investment in new technology, equipment, and software is crucial for economic growth. An ongoing technological revolution will enable the economy to produce goods and services more efficiently. Simply put, the better the technological innovations we have, the more output we can generate compared to older systems.

Human productivity is the driving force behind the increase in global wealth, power, and living standards over time. Productivity, defined as output per person and driven by advances in technology, has steadily improved over the years.

In the banking industry where I work, technology will continue to be a driving force behind economic growth in the fourth industrial revolution. The financial market is highly competitive, with rapid technological adoption by competitors. Our ability to compete effectively hinges on the timely introduction of innovative products, services, and technologies.

In summary, we should focus on how both customers and society benefit from the continuous revolution in technology. We need to become better at recognizing the true value of new technologies, master their use, and surpass our competitors by offering a superior customer experience, all while boosting our productivity.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

持續的科技革命及其對工作的影響

今天，在新加坡國立大學 （National University of Singapore，NUS）數碼領導碩士課程的一堂課裡，教授提到了對未來十年科技格局的預測。這使我思考起工作的未來。工作將如何發展，我們又該如何準備以保持我們的相關性呢？科技如人工智能的進步將對社會產生什麼影響，我們是否應該對此感到擔憂？

我認為，只要我們將注意力從科技轉向客戶，就無需擔心。儘管科技在不斷進化，客戶需求卻始終如一。工具和設備可能會變，但基本的人性需求卻印刻不滅。商業模式在演進，但企業的核心目標卻始終如一。儘管有與工業4.0相關的進步，我們仍然在努力提供最佳的客戶體驗。

十年前，電話銀行令人十分挫败。我有一個簡單的問題，撥打了客服熱線，結果接通的卻是一段錄音菜單，而非人工服務。直至今日，即使技術如聊天機器人等都已相當先進，人們仍然感到挫败，因為這些技術往往無法理解簡單的問題，而真正的人工客服卻總是難以接通。

銀行在數位轉型上投入大量資源，但也浪費不少。他們在社群媒體上花費時間來與顧客互動，然而客戶卻在幾分鐘後就忘記這些互動。他們創造訂閱模式，但客戶可能很少重新關注。他們生成數位文件、郵件和檔案，往往卻在雲端中丟失，而非有效地服務於客戶。

現在我們已經到達一個點，科技已經進步到足夠友好的地步，可以更有效地整合以更好地服務客戶。這不僅僅是關於提高生產力，亦是關於有意義的客戶互動。如果銀行不能持續改善客戶體驗，他們將停滯不前，無論他們的金融產品有多創新。

數位轉型不僅僅是關於科技;主要是關於客戶。科技雖然扮演了一個角色，但提供更有效服務客戶需求的真正轉型在於改進的營運、大規模定制和新範疇的提供。

與一般認知相反，ATM 並未取代銀行櫃員的工作。除非科技得以透過有效商業模式與新興市場結合，否則無任何科技能對行業產生變革。有趣的是，推動數碼公司爆炸性增長的科技往往並不那麽先進。要產生重大變革，你需要的只是一個能更有效地完成傳統被人類處理的任務的系統。

從社會的角度看，投資新科技、設備和軟件對於經濟增長至關重要。一個持續的科技革命將使經濟能夠更有效地生產商品和服務。簡單來說，我們擁有的科技創新越好，我們就可以與較舊的系統相比產出更多的產品。

人類的生產力是隨著時間推移全球財富、權力和生活水平增長的驅動力。由科技推動的生產力，即每人產出量，多年來一直在穩步提升。

在我工作的銀行業，在第四次工業革命中，科技將繼續是推動經濟增長的主要力量。金融市場競爭激烈，競爭對手的科技接受率迅速。我們能否有效競爭，取決於我們是否能及時推出創新的產品、服務和科技。

總結來說，我們應該專注於客戶和社會如何從持續的科技革命中受益。我們需要更好地認識新科技的真實價值，掌握它們的使用，並通過提供卓越的客戶體驗來超越我們的競爭對手，同時提高我們的生產力。