TLDR: UOB has rolled out a new initiative on October 1, 2025, to equip its employees with essential generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and automation skills. This program aims to enhance productivity and prepare the workforce for advanced digital roles, with a strong emphasis on continuous learning in an evolving financial landscape.
Singapore’s third-largest bank by assets, UOB, has launched a significant initiative on October 1, 2025, focused on upskilling its employees in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. The program is designed to provide staff with foundational generative AI (GenAI) and automation skills, with the overarching goal of enhancing productivity and fostering a future-ready workforce.
Speaking at UOB Plaza in Raffles Place on October 1, UOB chief executive Wee Ee Cheong underscored the critical importance of continuous learning, stating that ’employees must stay ahead with their skill sets in an ever-changing world.’ This sentiment highlights the bank’s proactive approach to technological advancements and their impact on the financial sector.
As part of this comprehensive initiative, UOB has partnered with the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) to develop industry-recognized, IBF-accredited training programs. These programs are aligned with the Skills Framework for Financial Services and cover key areas such as GenAI, digital literacy, data fluency. Employees will also benefit from access to training subsidies.
Further demonstrating its commitment to practical AI application, UOB has introduced AI prompt crafting workshops. These workshops, also accredited by IBF, are designed to teach employees how to effectively harness AI tools for tangible productivity gains in their daily tasks. The IBF will additionally support UOB in job redesign efforts and future-proofing employees by integrating technical training with structured career development plans.
This new initiative builds upon UOB’s existing talent development efforts, including the ‘Better U Pivot’ programme. This program assists employees in reskilling and transitioning into growth areas through personalized skills assessments and defined career pathways. To date, the ‘Better U Pivot’ programme has already empowered over 26,000 employees across various markets to develop crucial banking and core critical skills.
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In addition to these programs, UOB’s new innovation academy will offer courses in AI, data, and blockchain, making them accessible to all employees. The bank is also collaborating with the IBF career advisory team and Workforce Singapore (WSG) to develop initiatives that support career growth and resilience, aligning with the ‘Career Health SG’ initiative. This includes leveraging WSG’s Career Conversion Programme to redesign jobs most impacted by technology and AI, and to create career plans that facilitate the development and reskilling of employees for new growth roles. UOB will also work with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) to embed behavioral prompts into the learning journey and measure their effectiveness.
