Amplifying talent, not replacing it: A new vision for AI in corporate services

“In an increasingly AI-powered ecosystem, human judgment and contextual understanding remain our greatest advantage.” – Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium

In the complex, compliance-driven world of corporate services, where trust and client relationships are everything, precision matters. Yet too often, traditional platers and tech disruptors alike have pursued AI strategies that prioritise efficiency over empathy, eroding the very trust clients depend on.

A recent MIT Media Lab report found that 95% of organisations that have invested heavily in AI have seen no measurable return. AI has the power to revolutionise workflows for corporate service providers—but when misapplied, it falls short of its promise of efficiency. It can disrupt entire processes, leaving clients paying more, getting less, and feeling unheard.

Efficiency without empathy is the automation trap

The real challenge is not AI itself, but how organisations choose to use it. The problem begins when the conversation shifts from collaboration to competition—framing it as people versus AI instead of people with AI.

Today’s employees are fearful that AI’s automation will make their roles redundant, and corporate service professionals are no different. At Ascentium, we reject that narrative. We believe AI is a tool, not a replacement. When used wisely, it can elevate human expertise and unlock new value for employees and clients.

That is why we are rethinking how AI is deployed. Our approach puts people first. AI takes on repetitive, data-heavy tasks, freeing professionals to focus on what clients truly value: analysis, strategy, and relationship management. While up to 80% of corporate service work can be automated, the remaining 20% still demands human judgment. That is where we shine.

This is especially true in the Asia-Pacific region, which comprises 13 distinct markets rooted in relationship-driven business practices. Here, that 20% can be the difference between winning and losing a client. Understanding regional nuances is essential, and this can only be led by people.

Rethinking how we deploy AI

We are acquiring organisations that share our vision and bring the deep local expertise needed to succeed across Asia-Pacific. Our goal is to identify and uplift the talent from each acquisition, futureproofing these individuals and our teams so they are ready to thrive in an AI-powered future. While many corporate services processes remain manual today, we know that agentic AI will soon reshape the landscape.

In the future, tasks such as opening accounts or coordinating regulatory approvals could be handled seamlessly by multi-agent AI systems, minimising human intervention. But instead of letting go of employees whose work may be automated, we are freeing them from mundane tasks so they can focus on what truly matters. That is where the excitement begins: when automation handles the routine, human creativity and ingenuity can flourish, creating even greater value for our customers.

READ MORE: Why HR leaders must ‘walk the talk’ to bridge the AI tech-savviness gap

To stay ahead of the AI curve, we are building the data lakes with the proprietary business data needed to power agentic AI, sharpening the talent needed to deploy it, and, most importantly, we are investing deeply in our people who can provide the human touch clients ask for. In an increasingly AI-powered ecosystem, human judgment and contextual understanding remain our greatest advantage.

Corporate services with people at the core

As AI continues to evolve, it is already taking on many of the entry-level tasks that once provided foundational experience for professionals entering the corporate services field. According to the World Economic Forum, AI now executes 50-60% of entry-level work, such as document validation and compliance checks.

This shift is reshaping how we think about leadership and workforce development. We are preparing our teams for a future in which early-career pathways look very different, investing in training that builds the skills and judgment once gained through entry-level experience. Our recent partnership with INSEAD reflects this commitment. Together, we are equipping the next generation of leaders to thrive in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, helping them learn how to harness technology to amplify their impact and lead with agility.

Modern leadership must be anchored in one principle: the best technology enhances what makes us human. That is why we are building a resilient, tech-enabled workforce ready to advance corporate services across Asia-Pacific. We hire for cultural fit, not just technical skills. We invest in in-person upskilling and leadership programmes that build the judgment, creativity, and strategic thinking AI cannot replicate.

In a region where relationships drive business, the organisations that win will be those that use technology to amplify human expertise, not replace it. We are showing it can be done.

About the Author: Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium.