In ST’s In Your Opinion podcast, SMU President Professor Lily Kong shared how universities must respond to a changing world of work shaped by artificial intelligence. She emphasises the growing importance of experiential learning — from internships and overseas exposure to SMU-X projects — in developing distinctly human capabilities such as judgment, values, and adaptability. These experiences, she notes, help students make sense of who they are and how they navigate complex, real-world challenges.
Addressing concerns that AI may displace entry-level roles, Prof Kong underscores that early work experience remains critical. The learning that typically takes place in the first years on the job — including processes, judgment, and productive efficiency — must increasingly be built into the university experience itself.