SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer was a panellist at The Straits Times (ST) Education Forum 2017. He noted that the rise of technology and automation has created fears about job losses in the future economy. But technology can also create new opportunities, and even traditional degrees like those in literature and languages can still retain their relevance. The Straits Times Education Forum 2017 focused on the future of work, universities and the economy. Around 500 people attended the forum, which was organised by ST in partnership with SMU.

Citing an example of how people who have studied languages and writing might be needed by video game companies to craft storylines, Prof De Meyer said "there are (many) interesting jobs that are being created" because of technology. He advised young people against worrying excessively about which jobs would be rendered obsolete, urging them to "follow your passion in what you want to study". He also agreed with SMU Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping on the need for universities to transform. In his keynote speech, Mr Ho had said that universities like SMU should not "feign helplessness in the face of disruptive change".