Future-Ready Governance: Perspectives on Singapore and the World

“While both nightmare and utopian forecasts about our AI future abound, much rarer are sophisticated, well-informed, and constructive proposals for how we seize the opportunities and surmount the challenges of the AI era. Terence Ho’s Future-Ready Governance offers one such rare gem. The policy prescriptions offered here are designed for Singapore, but the insights will be welcomed by policymakers everywhere.”
—David Autor, Daniel (1972) and Gail Rubinfeld Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Co-Director, National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Labor Studies Program; former Vice-President, American Economic Association

“Terence Ho brings the experience of a practitioner, an analytical mind and an understanding of the challenges facing governments in a rapidly changing world to provide insights and ideas for national leaders and policymakers. This collection of articles and essays is a rich library of thoughtful commentary for those looking to build strong and resilient nations.”
—Richard F Chandler, Chairman, Clermont Group, and Founder, Chandler Institute of Governance

“Terence Ho comes from a policy background and this is apparent in his articles, both in their analytical approach to the issues of the day as well as their focus on practical solutions to address these issues. This fills a gap among opinion writers, who often have a very different starting point. Terence is able to convey policymakers’ reasoning clearly and concisely, so that whether or not readers agree, they are less likely to misunderstand the intent of any policy. Policymakers, too, will benefit from Terence’s thoughtful ideas and persuasive recommendations, which help to enrich the public discourse needed to craft the best solutions.”
—Choi Shing Kwok, Director and CEO, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and former Permanent Secretary (Environment and Water Resources, and Transport)

“Future-Ready Governance: Perspectives on Singapore and the World is a must-read for city leaders and government officials worldwide. Terence Ho shares unique insights on how Singapore aims to remain successful without any natural resources but the wits of its people — ‘the Singapore Spirit’. The book discusses hands-on ideas for societies to address some of the major challenges such as climate change, widening inequality and the impact of technology on jobs.”
—Dag Detter, Principal, Detter & Co., and former CEO of Swedish national wealth fund Stattum

“In these essays in Future-Ready Governance, Terence Ho examines, and elucidates, Singapore’s latest socio-economic challenges with his trademark balanced and pragmatic analysis and insights. As always, he applies deep understanding from his previous extensive Civil Service experience to engage with the broadest perspectives of public policy.”
—Koh Buck Song, Author and country brand advisor

“As the founder of a philanthropic organisation with a mission to build a fairer and stronger society, I have benefitted from Terence’s cogent and astute insights. This collection of highly readable articles further establishes him as a leading commentator on the emerging socio-economic issues confronting Singapore.

Terence’s writings reveal the delicate balance governments around the world face in charting new frontiers of societal development while maintaining a keen sensitivity for those unable to keep up with the sweeping changes of our age. Beyond a practical guide for future-ready governance, Terence offers a hopeful vision of how Singapore and societies globally can thrive amid the uncertainties of the future.”
—Michael Lien, Chairman, Wah Hin & Co.; Founder and Board Chairman of venture philanthropy organisation LEAP201

“Terence Ho is a unique academic with extensive, first-hand experience in policymaking, and it shows in his work. His commentaries are clear, well-informed, and insightful. Importantly, his ideas are grounded in reality, not just academic theory. Ho’s perspectives in these articles, particularly in the section on ‘Technology, Skills and the Future of Work’, are highly relevant today. They provide thought leadership on crucial topics such as artificial intelligence, the future of work, employment trends, reskilling and the platform economy.”
—Sam Liew, Chief Executive (Gov+), NCS, and President, Singapore Computer Society

“Even as technological and policy innovations seem to offer exciting possibilities in our rapidly evolving world, they may also usher in new anxieties and precarities that create fissures in our society. Terence Ho boldly tackles these emerging challenges with his measured analytical voice, enhancing our collective understanding of how they can be addressed.”
—Lim Sun Sun, Vice-President for Partnerships and Engagement and Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication and Technology, Singapore Management University

“In a world of uncertainty, governments have to keep updating and refreshing policies to remain economically competitive, socially cohesive and developmentally sustainable. Singapore is doing the same. This collection of articles is useful reading for those seeking clarity in a sea of complexity, confusion and contradiction.”
—Lim Swee Say Former Minister for Manpower and the Environment in the Singapore Cabinet, and former Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress

“Terence’s book comes at a time where public policymaking is tremendously challenging in a fast changing, complex and uncertain world, especially with the advent of generative AI. The observations and lessons from Singapore — known as one of the most innovative nations with an effective government — will be a useful reference and guide for all policymakers and public officials, as well as corporates and non-profit organisations. Terence’s succinct writing is a joy to read.”
—Penny Low, Founder, Social Innovation Park, mindfulness mentor and former Member of Parliament

“Future-Ready Governance is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in governance, policymaking, and the future of Singapore. Terence’s thoughtful analyses and insightful policy recommendations will serve as a compass for all of us as we navigate the infinite complexities of the 21st century.”
—Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore; formerly Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, Ambassador to the United Nations and President of the United Nations Security Council

“Public policy is essentially what governments do but crafting and implementing effective and good public policies are often challenging, and if done wrongly will lower any society’s welfare. Terence Ho has now put together his past writings which aim to elucidate what good public policies are, and how good governance is a prerequisite. The book highlights what works, and what requires fixing, by analysing a wide array of public policies applied to a range of social and economic issues including, trade, the environment and sustainability, social security, the use and impact of AI, social inclusiveness, leadership, politics and society, and more.

Rich with many illustrations, case studies and examples, there are many insights in this book which inform readers why Singapore is what it is — a success story in meeting all these challenges, and which provide a peek into the future with even more complexities within a changing local and global context. Terence Ho’s book tells us how Singapore can move forward in these demanding times, and also what the world can learn from Singapore. A must-read!”
—Euston Quah, Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics and Director, Economic Growth Centre, Nanyang Technological University; President, Economic Society of Singapore

“To be future-ready in the age of artificial general intelligence, our educational system needs to transform from giving students the ability to find the right answers to giving them the ability to generate questions. As robots become better robots, humans have to become better humans. Curiosity, courage, compassion, creativity, community, commitment, communication, and collaboration are skills our students are badly lacking.

We have to think inclusively across sectors like agritech, fintech, edutech, water tech, sanitation, clean energy, health tech, logistics and housing. A host of opportunities will await us when we can package comprehensive solutions. Our Gen Z and Alpha generations are interested in purpose, impact, equity and environmental sustainability. They want a fairer world and we must not disappoint them.

I applaud the publication of this book which is so timely going forward.”
—Jack Sim, Founder, Restroom Association of Singapore, World Toilet Organization, World Toilet Day initiative and Bottom of the Pyramid Hub

“Congratulations Terence for putting together all your (thoughtful and thought provoking) thought pieces in this compendium for reading and reference by readers locally and internationally. You have always maintained and provided both an incisive as well as a balanced angle in all your commentaries.

This compendium will provide readers added viewpoints and critical insights into our system of governance in Singapore and how we navigate the myriad issues and challenges through our eclectic mix of policy, programmes, and laws. It allows us to think hard, think through, and think again what is the Future of Governance.”
—Patrick Tay, Assistant Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress

“There is a unique combination that sparkles through these essays: openness to new data and information, analytical clarity, and genuine compassion and honour for all — and a desire to teach and share.”

By embracing diverse perspectives and seeking to help others find paths to greater happiness and success, I believe Terence has captured the spirit of Singapore — and our formula that has unlocked inclusive economic growth.

Since independence, Singapore has audaciously implemented a range of pathbreaking policies to solve what seemed like intractable problems — from electronic road pricing to managing traffic congestion, to treating wastewater with integrity at scale to meet water needs — turning the country’s small size and resource constraints into an advantage by developing novel and scalable solutions for challenges facing Singapore and other small states.

I highly recommend Terence’s book to aspiring policymakers and changemakers in and outside Singapore, as an apprenticeship with real case studies of how new areas of policy interest can be framed and analysed with curiosity and care.

At a time when new technologies are transforming labour markets globally, and the world grapples with climate change while navigating economic dislocations from war, pandemic and decades of asset inflation, I have confidence that these essays will be an encouragement and guide to many to navigate both the immediate challenges and incredible opportunities ahead.”
—Joanna Yeo, Founder and CEO, Arukah Capital, and Impact Investment Committee member, United Nations Sanitation and Hygiene Fund

Terence Ho is an Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Since 2002, he has served in research, policy and leadership roles in public sector agencies, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education, South East Community Development Council, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Manpower. He has also been a board member of Workforce Singapore and the Building and Construction Authority. Terence is the author of Refreshing the Singapore System: Recalibrating Socio-Economic Policy for the 21st Century (World Scientific, 2021) and Governing Well: Reflections on Singapore and Beyond (World Scientific, 2023). He is a recipient of the Lien Ying Chow Legacy Fellowship and the Public Administration Medal (Silver).