How SNTUC’s Siow Shong Seng is setting the tone for an AI-ready workforce in Singapore with Microsoft 365 Copilot
SNTUC’s Siow Shong Seng is integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate tasks and support industrial relations officers, with 93% of staff now using the tool.
Siow Shong Seng, chief transformation and technology officer at Singapore National Trades Union Congress (SNTUC), has deployed Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate routine tasks such as generating daily updates on labor trends and social media monitoring. The AI assistant also helps industrial relations officers (IROs) retrieve labor law information and review employment contracts by pulling data from SNTUC, the Ministry of Manpower, and other government sources. Siow designed an IRO agent as a template to guide his team in developing a production-ready version for broader use.
SNTUC, representing over 1.4 million workers in Singapore’s tripartite labor system, is using Copilot to prepare its workforce for an AI-driven environment. The tool was first tested by 50 staff in January 2025 and rolled out to all 1,300 employees a year later. Siow notes that Copilot has improved since its initial deployment, enabling seamless integration across applications like Outlook and PowerPoint to streamline research and meeting preparations.
Siow’s team leverages Copilot to translate technical solutions for non-expert audiences and create visuals for presentations, though he emphasizes the need for human review to validate outputs. To ensure adoption, Siow and Microsoft collaborated on enablement programs, including weekly tips and best practices shared via email. About 93% of staff now use Copilot, with 74% doing so weekly, reflecting positive engagement and adaptation to individual workflows.
Looking ahead, Siow aims to expand usage by encouraging staff to experiment with AI agents. He advises organizations to focus on business value rather than technology, suggesting they identify areas where AI can reduce friction, improve responsiveness, or enhance decision-making. Siow’s approach prioritizes practical applications to maximize Copilot’s impact within SNTUC’s operations.