AI’s Impact on Workforce Discussed at Singapore Forum

SINGAPORE, March 18, 2025 – John Hope Bryant, CEO of Operation HOPE, led a vital discussion on the future of work and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) during the CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore. The forum, hosted by CNBC, unites top executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to address pressing issues influencing business and economic landscapes.

This session, moderated by CNBC’s Julia Boorstin, featured a panel including Bryant, Elizabeth Hart, President of Leasing, North America, at Newmark, and Peta Latimer, President of Mercer Asia. The discussion focused on the profound implications of AI on employment and economic structures.

“We are not spending nearly enough time focusing on the bottom of the pyramid,” Bryant stated. “Convenience store jobs are gone, grocery store jobs are gone—this is not the future; this is right now.” As a global advocate for financial literacy and economic empowerment, Bryant pointed out the disproportionate effect AI-driven job displacement will have on individuals with lower educational attainment and limited access to career development opportunities.

Bryant emphasized the need for both governmental and private sectors to proactively integrate AI education and workforce development programs, ensuring that economic progress does not overlook the most vulnerable populations. He highlighted Singapore as a model for inclusive growth.

“Singapore had a troubled past, yet its leaders invested in human capital when they had no natural resources,” he explained. “This approach transformed the country into an economic powerhouse. The U.S. and other nations must take similar steps to grow their economies by prioritizing workforce training.”

The panel delved into AI’s reshaping industries, noting businesses’ investments in infrastructure, data centers, and automation. While AI adoption accelerates, Bryant cautioned that without intentional policies—such as tax incentives for apprenticeships, financial literacy education, and AI workforce training—income inequality could escalate and social disruptions could arise.

In a forward-looking discussion, Bryant underscored that AI should enhance, not replace, human jobs. “It’s not AI or people; it’s AI with people,” he asserted. “If we integrate AI with human capital investment, we can drive an economic boom.”

Bryant referenced Operation HOPE’s initiatives, including the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Pipeline of Prosperity Project (AI LP3), which partners with educational institutions like Georgia State University and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to prepare students for careers in AI-driven sectors. “We need to pipeline young talent into AI careers, offering internships, apprenticeships, and training opportunities before job losses occur,” he stressed.

With the U.S. national debt exceeding $36 trillion, Bryant advocated for increased workforce participation as a catalyst for GDP growth. “Instead of trying to cut our way out of debt, let’s grow the pie,” he proposed. “If we train and incentivize the bottom 10-20% of the economic pyramid, we could add 3-4% to GDP annually over the next decade.”

The discussion concluded with a clarion call for business leaders and policymakers to embrace AI as a tool for economic inclusivity. “The greatest risk isn’t AI itself—it’s failing to prepare people for it,” Bryant remarked. “Countries that prioritize AI literacy, financial literacy, and economic mobility will be the ones that thrive in the coming decades.”

About Operation HOPE, Inc.: Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been committed to transitioning America from civil rights to ‘Silver Rights,’ with a mission to make free enterprise and capitalism effective for the underserved. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, Operation HOPE has positively impacted over 4 million individuals and generated more than $4 billion in economic activity within disenfranchised communities. The organization has earned several accolades, including the Innovator of the Year award from American Banker magazine and multiple 4-star charity ratings from Charity Navigator for its fiscal management and transparency commitments.

For more information, visit Operation HOPE’s website and join the conversation on social media platforms.