People first, technology second: scaling AI adoption across Singapore's school libraries

The human core of educational technology

AI is transforming education in Singapore, but the most effective applications of AI in education start with people, not technology.

Civica APAC Executive Vice President Christopher Smith recently shared his thoughts on AI in education in Singapore during an interview with The Educator: Read the interview

Supporting 300+ Singapore school libraries through workforce continuous development

In Singapore, Civica supports the management and daily operations of more than 300 school libraries through our team of Library Assistants and Library Officers. Coming from diverse backgrounds, they are equipped with skills and expertise through Civica's training and development programmes. They play an important role in creating welcoming school library environments and supporting students' learning and reading experiences.

For many years, Civica has invested in the continuous development of the Library Assistants, Library Officers, and Professional Librarians who support the school libraries under our care. As the workplace evolves, so does our commitment to develop our people.

An AI-forward approach: using AI as an operational enabler

With an AI-forward approach, we have been equipping employees with AI awareness, practical skills, and ongoing AI training for library staff, helping them use AI as an enabler in their daily work. This includes contextualised, domain-specific training on how AI can support areas such as library promotion, outreach initiatives, and programme delivery.

The objective is not simply to teach people how to use a new generation of tools. It is to support human-centric AI adoption in education, where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the contributions of skilled professionals. It is to help them understand where technology can enhance their work, improve efficiency, and create greater value for the students, teachers, and schools they support. More importantly, it helps them continue playing a meaningful role in fostering a strong reading culture in Singapore schools and a lifelong love of books within school communities.

Partnering with IAL: building the learning architecture framework

As the only organisation in Singapore with over 20 years of experience supporting school libraries at scale, we continue to invest in our people.

Balancing emerging AI competencies with core human capabilities

Together with the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), we are developing a Learning Architecture Framework (IAL) that incorporates emerging competencies such as AI while continuing to strengthen the human capabilities that remain essential: adaptability, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience.