On Saturday, August 1, 2026, TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi delivered a keynote speech at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) doctoral graduation ceremony in Singapore. Addressing 575 PhD graduates, Chew urged them to "actively seek the unknown" and use their "superpower"—the ability to push the boundaries of human knowledge—to tackle complex, real-world problems.

In his 10-minute address, the 43-year-old Singaporean reflected on his journey from growing up in Yio Chu Kang, attending Hwa Chong Institution after the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), to earning an MBA from Harvard Business School. He recounted his early career experiences, including an internship at Facebook and leading investments in major Chinese tech firms before becoming TikTok's chief executive.

Chew highlighted the significance of the moment, noting that graduates are entering the workforce during a period of "massive structural change" and an "uncharted era of artificial intelligence." He encouraged them to lead in this new era while protecting their creativity and joy, emphasizing that they are the generation poised to build the next wave of positive innovation.

"Today, running a global company that enriches lives by fundamentally reshaping how everyday people express their creativity, find their communities and discover joy is one of the greatest pleasures of my life," Chew said.

This year, NTU is graduating over 14,000 students—the largest batch in its history—across 29 ceremonies. Chew spoke at the first ceremony held in the morning.

Notable Quotes

  • "You've just spent years earning a PhD, proving that you already know how to push the boundaries of human knowledge. Now, take that superpower and apply it to the messy, ambiguous problems of the real world."
  • "Noting that the graduates are entering the workforce in a time of massive structural change, it is time for them to take the lead as they enter a new and uncharted era of artificial intelligence."
  • "Along the way, my own world has grown in ways that I could never imagine. And looking back at that path, I've come to realise that education is a lifelong passport. It keeps redrawing the borders of your world over and over again."
  • "The community will remind them of their purpose and reflect what they are truly capable of."

Chew's speech underscored the evolving role of technology—not just as hardware and code but as a means to unlock human potential.

Sources

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