Read to Lead: Building an AI-Ready Mind

In a world shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), the ability to critically evaluate the credibility of content will be increasingly important. KPMG in Singapore and the National Library Board (NLB) have come together to launch Read to Lead, a year-long initiative to embed focused reading as a core professional skill across Singapore’s workforce, build discernment and critical thinking, and empower companies to accelerate knowledge-building.

Officiated by Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, alongside Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, the launch underscores our commitment to empowering communities to navigate complexity with confidence and clarity by promoting reading in the workplace, and equipping professionals and business leaders with the discernment skills to thoughtfully evaluate information.

Through Read to Lead, KPMG is shaping a more informed and resilient society where we are better equipped to make sound, responsible decisions in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

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All smiles as our Innovative Culture Taskforce Lead, Voo Poh Jee, Managing Partner Lee Sze Yeng, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Rahayu Mahzam, guest speaker Warren Fernandez and Chief Executive Officer, NLB, Melissa Tam marked the launch of Read to Lead at Asia Square Atrium.

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Reflecting on a famous quote by Mark Twain, who said, “A man who will not read has little advantage over a man who cannot read”, Warren made a poignant case for exercising our brain like any other muscle: we either use it or lose it.

Kicking off Read to Lead was Knowledge Week, a series of activities designed to help us exercise sound judgement while evaluating information sources, broaden perspectives beyond professional domains, and engage with content meaningfully. Held from 14 to 16 Jul 2026 at Asia Square, the KPMG Clubhouse and the National Library Building, it sparked engaging discussions involving our leaders and industry experts.

The week opened with a thought-provoking conversation with Warren Fernandez, Senior Fellow, Head of National Security Studies Programme and Editor, RSIS Publications, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, moderated by our Innovative Culture Taskforce Lead and Partner, Audit, Voo Poh Jee.

Attendees learnt how critical reading strengthens our ability to ask better questions, make sound judgements and ultimately deliver higher-value insights to clients. Ultimately, the quality of what we read directly affects the outputs we get from AI.

A panel discussion featuring our Head of Cyber and Partner, Advisory, Gerry Chng, alongside industry experts, unpacked the risks, governance challenges and judgement skills essential for navigating an AI-driven world with confidence.

In particular, Gerry highlighted the need to recognise that we are increasingly consuming content that may be AI-generated and being fed information that aligns with our existing preferences.

Overall, the conversations reiterated the importance of maintaining scepticism, managing security risks and upholding trust as we rely on cutting-edge technologies.

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An invigorating discussion featuring our Head of Cyber, Advisory, Gerry Chng, David Marshall Professor of Law & Vice Provost (Educational Innovation), National University of Singapore and Dean of NUS College, AI Governance and Policy Lead, NUS AI Institute, Prof Simon Chesterman, Chief Operating Officer, Laimi, Sng Yan Yuan, moderated by Librarian/Manager (Outreach), Children & Reading (S.U.R.E.), NLB, Mervin Ang.

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A riveting session moderated by NLB's Mervin Ang, featuring our Head of Private Enterprise and Partner, Chiu Wu Hong, Assistant Director, Partnerships & Startup Development, ACE.SG, Desmond Low, and Founder, The Local Farm, Kenny Eng.

The week concluded with a forward-looking panel discussion featuring our Head of Private Enterprise and Partner, Chiu Wu Hong. The panellists unpacked what Singapore's most resilient enterprises do differently, and the importance of building for the next stage of growth from day one.

Focusing on the importance of staying ahead of change from start-up to scale-up stages, attendees explored how the most successful leaders make strategic investments in people, partnerships and technology well before the need becomes apparent. The panel also explored how acquiring and applying cross-domain knowledge positions businesses for long-term resilience and growth.