UOB commits to future-proofing workforce with major AI upskilling initiative

(From left) Dean Tong, head of Group Human Resources at UOB; President Tharman Shanmugaratnam; and Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and CEO of UOB, at the bank’s Better U Festival where UOB announced its new AI upskilling and reskilling initiative.

UOB has unveiled a bank-wide AI upskilling and reskilling initiative, signalling a major investment in its human capital as technological disruption rapidly reshapes the financial services sector. The comprehensive programme is designed to equip all employees with the essential skills and confidence needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to a “no one gets left behind” philosophy.

The bank’s new programme will equip all employees with foundational skills in generative AI (GenAI) and automation, enabling them to enhance productivity and adapt to shifting job requirements. Beyond entry-level knowledge, UOB will also build specialised talent in areas such as data science, while cultivating a network of “innovation champions” to lead the adoption of GenAI and process improvements across the organisation.

This initiative will run in parallel with UOB’s Better U Programme, a holistic job transformation initiative launched in 2019 that has already helped over 26,000 employees develop competencies in critical skill areas.

Dean Tong, Head of Group Human Resources, UOB, said, “AI is a powerful enabler which not only empowers our people to focus on higher-value work that requires judgment, creativity and critical thinking, but also helps to bridge any knowledge gaps and gives them the confidence to try out new roles.”

“Together with our Better U Pivot Programme, we are future-proofing employees, even those in evolving roles impacted by the AI disruption. Our goal is simple—no one gets left behind. We want every employee to feel confident stepping into the future, knowing they have the tools and support to succeed and build sustainable careers with us.”

READ MORE: UOB invests in employee development to drive future success

To support the roll-out, UOB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF), Workforce Singapore (WSG), and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP). The MoU was formalised at the bank’s Better U Festival, which was graced by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. With IBF, UOB will develop accredited training programmes in GenAI, digital literacy, and data fluency, including prompt-crafting workshops to enhance daily productivity. WSG’s Career Conversion Programme will support job redesign for roles impacted by AI, facilitating transitions to growth-oriented positions. UOB and NP will integrate behavioural prompts into learning journeys to foster adaptability.

Further bolstering its efforts, the bank has established a new Innovation Academy to foster a culture of innovation and experimentation. This academy will complement the broader Better U efforts by offering a dedicated suite of courses in AI, data, and blockchain, providing practical, hands-on learning pathways to deepen expertise, particularly for those in data-related roles.