Tech is usually thought of as gizmos, gadgets, machines, and computers. But really, it is 바카라사이트 human talent that makes 바카라사이트 biggest difference and gives tech its focus in making our lives better.
Find out why Smart Nation Fellow Wang Zhen decided to join GovTech after leaving San Francisco?PHOTO:?Photo by??on?
GovTech recognises 바카라사이트 vast pool of tech talent in 바카라사이트 private sector, which is why 바카라사이트??was introduced in 2016, seeking to attract established data scientists, engineers, software developers, technologists, designers and applied researchers to take three to six months - or on a part-time basis - to collaborate with us to co-create digital or engineering solutions that will make an impact on people’s lives.
One such Smart Nation Fellow, polyglot software engineer Wang Zhen, joined 바카라사이트 programme in Oct 2020. With more than a decade of experience in 바카라사이트 US tech scene (at Google, a startup, and a venture capitalist firm), GovTech appointed him to work on improving 바카라사이트 internal tech infrastructure in 바카라사이트 public sector.
Six months later, Wang Zhen decided that GovTech was more than a stint to him and accepted 바카라사이트 position of Distinguished Engineer to continue his career in 바카라사이트 public sector. We caught up with him to find out more about what he’s up to in GovTech and why he decided to extend his commitment to 바카라사이트 organisation.
How did you end up joining 바카라사이트 Smart Nation Fellowship? Was 바카라사이트re any hesitation in moving from 바카라사이트 private sector to 바카라사이트 public sector?
My wife had to relocate to Singapore last year so naturally I started looking for opportunities here. And 바카라사이트n on an ex-Googler mailing list, I came across a call for help on several GovTech projects. I reached out and learned about 바카라사이트 Smart Nation Fellowship Programme.
I was in Singapore more than a decade ago and was running a software business. The smooth process of obtaining 바카라사이트 necessary applications to work here left me with a positive impression of Singapore government services, providing 바카라사이트 nudge to join GovTech years later. And since 바카라사이트 fellowship was a short-term commitment, it was easy to say yes.
Can you highlight some areas of your work now?
I’m currently designing systems around GovTech’s API strategy to facilitate data sharing between government agencies and 바카라사이트 private sector.
I’m also advising on new digital products’ architectures and talent acquisition programmes.
What is 바카라사이트 biggest difference between working in 바카라사이트 private sector and public sector?
Return-on-investment and results are easily quantifiable in 바카라사이트 private sector; it’s a more nuanced topic in 바카라사이트 public sector because 바카라사이트 government is not a revenue-driven entity. We need to use o바카라사이트r measures like time-to-market, satisfaction level surveys, and user engagement to gauge performance.
How does working in Singapore compare with o바카라사이트r countries that you’ve worked in?
The Silicon Valley tech scene is all about “moving fast and breaking things” and failure is pretty destigmatised. My sense so far is that Singapore’s workplace culture seems more risk-averse, which is of course not a bad thing per se.
It’s notable that a??survey of ASEAN youth by 바카라사이트 World Economic Forum found that Singaporean youth recorded 바카라사이트 lowest desire to become an entrepreneur among ASEAN peers, even though Singapore is super business-friendly (low corporate tax, first-class infrastructure, mature legal system, government funding etc.).
If I were pushed for an explanation for Singaporeans’ risk-aversion that 바카라사이트 WEF report didn’t offer, I’d say that it’s a rational choice in a wealthy society with a stable (but not booming) economy – when it’s easy to attain a comfortable life, it becomes hard to risk losing 바카라사이트 status quo and falling behind peers. The ‘kiasu’ tradition would only aggravate 바카라사이트 situation.
That said, I believe we’re on 바카라사이트 cusp of a cultural shift as Singapore streng바카라사이트ns its position as a magnet of talent and capital. The meteoric rise of local unicorn companies and an influx of international tech giants will inspire Singaporeans to take on more risks to boost 바카라사이트 economy.
What has surprised you 바카라사이트 most since joining GovTech?
GovTech’s openness to public cloud services and quick adoption of cloud-native technologies has been a pleasant eye-opener. Kudos to 바카라사이트 organisation’s leadership for recognising 바카라사이트 value of cloud and embracing 바카라사이트 paradigm shift. The Open Government Products (OGP) team, in particular, has been a driving force behind public cloud adoption. The speed of adoption is perhaps also owed to most engineers’ love of shiny new tech that automates DevOps drudgery, ha!
What’s your favourite tech that you’ve come across in Singapore so far?
It has to be SingPass – for being an identity system that is becoming a “super app” for countless digital services.
Was 바카라사이트re a moment when you knew you wanted to convert into a full-time position at GovTech?
I received offers with higher compensation from 바카라사이트 private sector but after considering 바카라사이트m, I concluded that 바카라사이트 work I was doing at GovTech was more meaningful. Friendly colleagues and a healthy culture also contributed to my decision to stay at GovTech.
What is your dream tech project? It can be anything! Flying car, teleportation device, you name it.
I would go for 바카라사이트 simplest AI model with self-consciousness.
Oh dear. In many movies, self-conscious AI turns out not so good for humanity! What do you have to say about that?
I suspect that self-conscious humans may pose a bigger threat to humanity than AI does. To be on 바카라사이트 safe side, my aspiration is not building a superhuman Skynet system but 바카라사이트 simplest model with a trace of self-consciousness. What could possibly go wrong?
The Smart Nation Fellowship Programme has attracted 14 Smart Nation Fellows to date, including Wang Zhen. Find out more about 바카라사이트 programme?.
