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Minister Josephine Teo, in a recent address, shed light on Singapore’s digital journey and its approach to artificial intelligence (AI), emphasising the nation’s commitment to using digital transformation and AI to drive economic growth and societal progress while acknowledging excellence in the business community. She recognised the importance of collaboration between government and industry in realising Singapore’s vision as a global leader in innovation and technology.
Against the backdrop of global uncertainties and challenges posed by the pandemic, Minister Teo commended the resilience and adaptability of Singapore’s business community. In the face of disruptions, the spirit of innovation and resilience has been epitomised within the business sector.
Minister Teo highlighted a significant development in Singapore’s digital landscape – the renaming of the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI). This change reflects the evolving scope of the ministry’s work, which encompasses leading the national digital agenda. With a focus on fostering digital innovation, building robust digital infrastructure, and enhancing cybersecurity measures, MDDI is poised to drive Singapore’s digital transformation agenda forward.
Central to Singapore’s digital journey is the strategic prioritisation of AI as a catalyst for productivity enhancement and economic competitiveness. Minister Teo highlighted AI’s transformative potential across various sectors, citing its role in raising productivity and improving operational efficiency.
As Singapore transitions into a mature economy, sustaining wage growth and enhancing productivity become imperative. Minister Teo highlighted AI’s capacity as a general-purpose technology to drive productivity gains and fuel continuous economic growth.
Minister Teo stressed the importance of widespread AI adoption beyond frontier firms to ensure broad-based benefits across industries. She acknowledges the need for practical AI applications that deliver tangible benefits to businesses and individuals. Singapore’s commitment to supporting AI adoption is evident through its policy frameworks, skills development initiatives, and strategic partnerships with the private sector.
Singapore’s approach to AI governance is built around the tenet of balancing innovation with risk management. Initiatives such as AI Verify – a testing framework and software toolkit developed in collaboration with industry partners – ensure the robustness and reliability of AI systems. The government is committed to fostering a safe and responsible AI ecosystem that maximises the benefits of AI while mitigating potential risks.
Minister Teo also underscored the role of public-private partnerships in driving AI innovation and adoption. She highlighted collaborative efforts to build AI centres of excellence (CoE) and develop solutions that address real-world challenges. In the current landscape, the importance of industry collaboration in skills development, solution development, and AI governance to unlock AI’s transformative potential for Singapore’s economy cannot be stressed enough.
Looking ahead, Minister Teo called on Singapore’s business community to actively participate in the nation’s AI development journey. She emphasised the importance of partnership and collaboration in driving innovation and maintaining Singapore’s position as a global leader in AI innovation.
Minister Teo reiterated Singapore’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for digital innovation, where businesses, government, and academia work together to harness the full potential of emerging technologies.
The nation is committed to embracing digitalisation and cutting-edge technology, like AI, as drivers of sustainable economic growth and societal advancement. In this journey collaboration between the public and private sectors will remain key to unlocking new opportunities and driving sustainable economic growth. Singapore aims to capitalise on opportunities in the digital age, positioning itself as a global frontrunner in innovation and technology, to serve the country and the world at large.
