SMU's Human-Centric Approach to AI: Provost Alan Chan's Vision
Singapore Management University (SMU) is redefining its role in the artificial intelligence (AI) landscape by placing humans firmly at the center of its technological advancements. Provost Alan Chan, who assumed the role in April 2025, emphasizes that SMU's AI mission looks both inward—to transform teaching and learning—and outward—to tackle pressing societal challenges. This dual focus ensures AI serves as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than supplant them.
Under Chan's leadership, SMU has accelerated its integration of human-centred AI into educational frameworks and research agendas. Drawing from Singapore's National AI Strategy 2.0, which commits significant funding to AI for public good, SMU aligns its efforts with national priorities like workforce reskilling and ethical AI governance. This approach positions SMU as a leader among Singapore universities, complementing powerhouses like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which dominate global AI rankings.
The 'Silent Guardian': Revolutionizing Eldercare with AI
One flagship project exemplifying SMU's outward-looking AI application is the Sensors In-home for Elder Wellbeing initiative, dubbed the 'silent guardian.' Developed in collaboration with Sengkang General Hospital, this system deploys nine non-intrusive ambient intelligent sensors—including a wearable device—in seniors' homes. These track room-to-room transitions, sleep patterns, medication adherence, heart rate, and step counts without relying on cameras or microphones, preserving privacy.
The AI analyzes these data streams to detect early signs of mild cognitive impairment, flagging risks before they escalate to dementia. What sets it apart is its interpretability: clinicians can trace why a alert was triggered, based on behavioral shifts, enabling timely interventions that support independent living. 'We deploy AI where it sharpens human judgment,' Chan notes, underscoring the blend of technology and caregiver oversight.
This project addresses Singapore's ageing population crisis, where by 2030, one in four residents will be aged 65 and above, straining healthcare resources. SMU's human-centric design ensures AI empowers rather than replaces human care, a model scalable for community deployment.
AI for Supply Chain Resilience: Partnering with IBM
SMU's collaborations extend to industry, as seen in its partnership with IBM Research on AI for supply chain risk mitigation. Amid global disruptions like those from the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, this tool helps procurement teams evaluate trade-offs in volatile environments. By providing data-driven insights, it enhances decision-making without automating it entirely, preserving human strategic oversight.
Chan highlights that such initiatives are 'not technology demonstrations' but targeted solutions for real problems. This outward thrust aligns with Singapore's role as a global trade hub, where resilient supply chains are vital. For higher education professionals eyeing higher ed jobs in research, SMU offers opportunities in interdisciplinary AI applications.
Inward Transformation: Embedding AI in SMU's Curriculum
Internally, SMU is overhauling pedagogy to foster AI fluency. Freshman cohorts now take mandatory courses on AI fundamentals, progressing to disciplinary integration in later years. Assessments have shifted from rote memorization to reasoning-focused formats like oral defenses, live simulations, and critiques of AI outputs, using the AID framework: Adapt (redesign for depth), Incorporate (ethical guidelines), and Detect (misuse tools as secondary).
'Our goal is for students to learn about AI, use AI, and learn with AI—but most importantly, learn beyond AI,' Chan states. This counters over-reliance risks, nurturing metacognition, critical thinking, ethical judgment, and communication—hallmarks of employable graduates. Small class sizes enable in-person, device-free evaluations, while the Centre for Teaching Excellence trains faculty via webinars.
Students in business and computing programs, for instance, interrogate AI in negotiations or data analysis, preparing them for Singapore higher ed careers.
Launch of MSc in Business AI: Cultivating Leaders
In February 2026, SMU unveiled its Master of Science in Business AI, a pioneering program for August 2026 intake. This business-first curriculum fuses strategy, decision intelligence, AI ethics, and human-AI collaboration through courses like Data Storytelling, Change Management for AI, and Intelligent Marketplaces. Delivered via interactive seminars, it bridges leadership and tech teams, addressing translational skill gaps.
Academic Director Professor Sungjong Roh notes the 'real AI skills gap isn’t merely technical—it’s translational.' Aligned with SkillsFuture Singapore, it equips executives to govern AI responsibly, supporting national ambitions. Prospective students can explore SMU's MSc Business AI page for applications.
Resilient Workforces Institute: Tackling AI Disruption
SMU's Resilient Workforces Institute (ResWORK), launched in early 2026 with S$5 million funding, spearheads research on AI's workforce impacts. Pillars include cognition reshaping, collaboration dynamics, and lifelong learning. Partnerships with Equinix and others drive applied studies, like Professor Li Jia's AI exposure index for professions.
Chan envisions ResWORK equipping organizations, policymakers, and learners for AI-driven economies. Events like the ST Education Forum 2026 on April 1—featuring Chan, OpenAI's Raghav Gupta, and Minister Desmond Lee—will debate 'AI in Higher Education: Hype or Hope?'
Navigating Challenges: Academic Integrity and Faculty Adaptation
AI poses hurdles like plagiarism—highlighted by 2025 cases—and faculty upskilling, especially for senior educators. SMU counters with holistic policy reviews, student consultations, and AI literacy mandates. The emphasis: 'If AI generates answers in seconds, our role is to ask better questions,' per Chan.
- Adapt assessments for ethical discernment.
- Incorporate AI as a learning partner.
- Detect misuse without over-reliance.
This fosters graduates valued for uniquely human skills, boosting employability in Singapore's competitive job market. Check Rate My Professor for SMU faculty insights.
SMU in Singapore's AI Ecosystem: Collaborating with NUS and NTU
SMU complements NUS (11th globally in AI) and NTU (8th), focusing on business-AI intersections. While NUS/NTU lead in technical AI, SMU excels in human-centric, applied domains like eldercare and workforces. Singapore's AI Strategy 2.0, with S$1 billion investments, amplifies these efforts, positioning the nation as an AI governance hub.
For academics, university jobs in AI abound at these institutions.
Photo by Albert Vincent Wu on Unsplash
Future Outlook: Preparing Graduates for an AI World
Looking ahead, SMU aims to lead AI impact research, with ResWORK expanding studies and programs scaling nationally. Chan's vision: graduates who 'critically interrogate' AI, blending tech fluency with ethical acumen. This prepares them for roles in higher ed career advice sectors like AI governance and business intelligence.
As Singapore targets AI mastery by 2030, SMU's model offers actionable insights for universities worldwide.
Career Implications and Opportunities at SMU
SMU's AI thrust creates pathways in research, teaching, and administration. From PhD supervision to industry partnerships, opportunities abound for faculty. Students gain edges in faculty positions or postdoc roles. Explore higher ed jobs, university jobs, and Singapore academic positions today. Share your experiences on Rate My Professor or seek career advice.
