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The rise in the satisfaction level between its service providers and constituents is the foundation for Singapore’s reputation as an innovative nation. The strategic use of data-centric tools across agencies considerably improves service delivery but, at the same time, also presents difficulties.
There is no denying that data science and analytics have the power to fundamentally change and reinvent how people live, work, and connect with each other. As a result, the quest to advance data collecting, analysis, and automation processes is an ongoing one.
Additionally, there is a growing demand for analytics automation to create flexible, trustworthy datasets that give information to decision-makers and facilitate transformation. Actionable intelligence obtained from such platforms is crucial for providing people, the community and employees with services.
Senior digital executives from the Singapore public sector attended the OpenGov Breakfast Insight on 6 July 2022 to explore scaling analytics across the government.
The Human Impact of Democratising Data
To kickstart the session, Mohit Sagar, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, OpenGov Asia, delivered the opening address. He understands that the reliance on dedicated data professionals and experts can be reduced if every employee is equipped with data skills.
Inter-agency cooperation on technological solutions to social problems creates the possibility for every person to turn data into insights going forward, “Democratising data means upskilling our data workers.”
This “democratisation” means giving people direct access to data and analytics that can help them make decisions. If everyone in an organisation uses the information in the data, both the business and its employees can make better decisions every day. This leads to stronger people and better financial results.
With access to data that can be used, the organisation can make smart business decisions at all the important points in an employee’s life.
The use of tools that allow data workers with a range of expertise and data talents to freely contribute to analytic capabilities is known as “democratising analytics.” Such upskilling is an excellent investment that will pay off generously in the long run.
When balanced solutions are available, developing in-house domain experts need not be difficult or time-consuming.
Data must be seen as more than just a component in the governance system. Effective leadership must consider the limitations placed on data experts working with finite resources like time and efficiency.
By giving public sector workers a platform for various activities, bottlenecks can be eliminated and they are empowered to provide services that are centred on people.
True digital transformation is welcomed when agencies adopt a new mentality and accept the necessity for transformation. In this scenario, the goal of improving the data collection, analysis and automation processes is continuous. Moreover, a secure data capability must be maintained to make room for high-impact performance and solutions.
When data and analytics are used effectively, public organisations and their missions can serve as catalysts for a greater and brighter future. Internal progress is ushered through upskilling when democratised analytics are leveraged consistently and without unnecessary complexity.
Driving Data and Analytics Maturity
Online portals with public access make it possible for public entities to share data. Not only can developers easily cooperate on digital solutions to societal problems, but every individual possesses the capacity to transform data into actionable insights.
“To imagine quicker answers, deeper insights and better judgement, every stakeholder in the public sector needs to participate more creatively,” says Lim Yew Beng, Head, Value Engineering (APJ), Alteryx.
Yew Beng shared the study conducted by Alteryx which shows that the four key dimensions of Asia-Pacific’s readiness for analytics maturity – strategy, data, workforce and process – reflect the organisation’s capacity to derive value from its data and analytics.
The strategy dimension examines the beginning points of transformation. The interdependencies among stakeholders in charge of various initiatives will become a barrier to getting consistent returns from analytics investments without a thoroughly thought-out data and analytics strategy.
Data dimension, on the other hand, examines where changes happen more quickly. How data, the raw material, is consistently regulated throughout the organisation has a significant impact on the rate of acceleration.
Examining the areas where significant support is given to improvements falls under the purview of the workforce dimension. The goal of productivity tools and automation is always to enable and empower individuals so they can complete their tasks more effectively, more quickly and with less effort.
Dealing with the scale of change is taken care of by the process dimension. To enhance analytics process management takes three phases – definition, standardisation and automation.
Meanwhile, existing systems, including software, data retrieval and inter-agency distribution, enable government organisations of any size to collaborate and expedite analytic procedures. The insights required for local growth and community uplift are simplified and mechanised to provide results that may be utilised by everyone.
Yew Beng emphasised that “It is important that we are shifting to the more digital economy. The speed and precision of secure, compliant, and regulated public sector technology in the form of AI, analytics, and machine learning is another solution.”
The government sector must encourage openness while also increasing the visibility of how money is allocated. Through analytics and by using experience, the data gathered from their customers, employees, and vendors can help improve government services and promote innovation.
On the other hand, staff may now concentrate on higher-value, more strategic tasks that call for human intervention and intelligence due to automation.
However, the persistent reliance on manual processes can be a result of the lack of fresh options. Organisations might not be able to scale their procurement operations or address issues with transparency and sustainability without a reliable procurement platform.
While concentrating on the readiness criteria pertinent to business analytics is crucial, it is vital to examine other readiness aspects for business analytics and ensure that financial and technological resources are sufficient.
In the context of analytics, organisations should take four critical preparation considerations into account: operational, cultural, domain and strategic readiness. For organisations implementing analytics, ensuring readiness across all elements is crucial because several of them may eventually evolve into crucial success factors for analytics. Spending on analytics and other IT-driven projects are not significantly different from one another. For success, it is crucial to link organisational strategy and analytics.
Yew Beng shared four tips to easily adapt the analytics in an organisation:
- Make analytics Easy: Execute every task in minutes or hours, not days and weeks
- Cover Everything: From insight to action across every data type and source
- Be Everywhere: Insights across hundreds of use cases, on-prem and in the cloud
- Enable Everyone: Democratised analytics for every person, every skill level
The willingness to invest in analytics is a sign of strategic readiness, but only if this investment is supported by a solid business rationale. The process of strategically preparing comprises establishing goals for analytics, problems the organisation expects to solve through analytics, and the kind of urgent questions that can or cannot be answered.
In closing, Yew Beng mentioned that Alteryx answers the question of how data science and analytics will change business. It all started with the idea of making a software platform that helps businesses feel the excitement of getting answers faster.
Bridging the Analytics Divide: Reflections as a Healthcare & Analytics Practitioner
The deployment of tools that enable data workers of varying skill levels and data talents to independently contribute to analytic capabilities constitutes democratising analytics. Such skill development is the ideal investment, yielding great returns over time. Creating in-house domain specialists does not have to be difficult or time-consuming when balanced solutions are available.
“Every employee must make a concerted effort to improve their data processing and analytical skills. If every employee has data skills, the organisation will undoubtedly profit,” says Dr Joshua Lam, Data Architect (Data Operations & Architecture, Chief Data Officer’s Office), Health Promotion Board, Singapore.
Dr Lam shared that as the key agency overseeing national health promotion and disease prevention programmes, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) aims to empower Singaporeans to attain optimal health, increase the quality and years of healthy life and prevent illness, disability and premature death.
HPB adopts a combination of strategic approaches to encourage healthy behaviours among the population and build a sustainable ecosystem for healthy living.
- Combining broad-based and targeted interventions in key settings
- Fostering meaningful partnerships across whole-of-society
- Leveraging policies and regulatory measures to shift lifestyle choices
- Public education to increase awareness, sustain mindshare and nudge health behaviours
- Harnessing technology and data for greater precision in understanding behaviours and delivering interventions
Dr Lam emphasised the importance of digital knowledge and systems gaps in analytics for digital transformation given the impact of technology on society and the rapid pace of innovations with no precedence in the past.
A person’s capacity to locate, assess, and create understandable information using digital technology is referred to as having “digital literacy,” a broad notion. One of the few core skills that are not taught in schools is digital literacy, which is essential for success in areas like communication and the job market.
Both in developed and developing nations, there is a painfully significant problem with the lack of computer literacy. The COVID-19 problem provided the clearest example yet of how technology is affecting the country in ways that have never been seen before in human history.
Rapid improvements in AI, robotics and other new technologies are happening in shorter cycles. This is changing the nature of the jobs that need to be done and the skills that are needed to do them faster than ever before.
According to Dr Lam, Healthcare is a unique niche market since there is so much data. For example, healthcare data analysts assist organisations in raising patient satisfaction, reducing healthcare costs and improving the quality of care.
As businesses seek to benefit from big data and its many applications, including how it may be used to improve healthcare quality, their role has grown more crucial. Hence, the healthcare sector needs executives who have a thorough awareness of the difficulties being encountered as well as the capacity to comprehend data and apply it.
Data silos obstruct corporate operations and the initiatives that support them in data analytics. Executives’ capacity to use data to manage corporate operations and make wise business decisions is constrained by silos.
As new jobs are created and skill requirements change, the current pool of skilled workers won’t be able to keep up with demand. “To democratise data across silos for utilisation to unearth new business insights, leadership support and data literacy are essential.”
Companies will need to provide a path for their staff to achieve data literacy, which includes understanding why data literacy is important, what data literacy looks like for each employee, and how to set a baseline for employee competencies and a common data language.
Interactive Discussion
After the informative talks, delegates took part in discussions based on polls. This event is meant to give live audience interaction, encourage participation, give people real-world experiences, and help them learn and grow professionally.
On how delegates rank the usage of data and data analytics tools for decision-making in their organisation, a majority answered that they use data in the decision-making process, but the analysis is primarily a manual process. Others felt that they have some tools in place or need improvement by having better tools to analyse. Data-driven decision-making is an excellent method for gaining a competitive advantage, increasing profits, and lowering costs.
Regarding the biggest data challenge in their organisation, the delegates answered that adding new data sources is difficult and time-consuming. Companies can collect and analyse massive amounts of data and unlock unprecedented potential. Big data challenges include finding the best way to deal with a lot of data, which means storing and analysing a huge amount of information in different data stores. When working with Big Data, many big problems need to be solved quickly. Some delegates felt that efforts to manage data are expensive or data is manually aggregated to produce BI/reports for executive leadership.
On what was the greatest barrier to integrating more data and analytics into their day-to-day decision-making, most indicated that it was limited access to data. Data that cannot be directly shared with the general research community due to potential risks to study participants and the confidentiality agreements made with them are referred to as restricted data. The datasets may require expensive and time-consuming access. Others went to compliance with data security and privacy requirements, or available data is not accurate.
When asked what their organisation’s main driver for using data and analytics was, a majority agreed to improve the speed and accuracy of business decisions. Organisations are under more and more pressure from the competition to not just attract customers, but also comprehend their needs to improve the customer experience and forge enduring partnerships. Some participants said their main driver was achieving better customer experience and improved capability to upsell/cross-sell the product portfolio.
On the biggest barrier to progress in their organisation’s data journey, a majority opted for the disconnection between IT & business as customers expect businesses to know them, establish meaningful connections, and deliver a seamless experience across all contact points in exchange for providing their data and granting relaxed privacy in its use. Other delegates answered the non-data-literate workforce.
In the last poll, the delegates were asked about how well their organisation used data and analytics. In general, delegates felt that they distribute static reports regularly. Analytics is a system that helps people make decisions every day and, in some cases, makes decisions for them.
Some organisations don’t need to “convince” key stakeholders to use analytics when making decisions. On the other hand, some organisations face strong opposition, which is often a sign of the culture or the readiness of the organisation. Of the remainder, some said that they utilise performance dashboards to slice, dice and drill down, as well as combine predictive modelling, AI, and machine learning techniques. They have incorporated visualisation into their process and transactional systems.
Conclusion
According to Mohit, government agencies can collaborate and streamline analytical processes thanks to existing systems including software, data retrieval, and inter-agency dissemination. To provide results that everyone can use, the insights necessary for local growth and community uplift are streamlined and automated.
Secure data capabilities must be maintained to make room for high-impact performance and solutions in Singapore. True digital transformation is welcomed when agencies adopt a new mentality and accept the necessity for transformation.
Alteryx helps data analysts, business leaders, IT professionals and data scientists get deeper insights faster and more efficiently than they ever thought possible. Likewise, Alteryx Advocacy has a network of innovative stars who are motivated by a visionary data mission which is categorised into two – Alteryx Innovator and Alteryx Visionary.
An Innovator is an Alteryx customer who loves to learn new things, hears about business problems, and builds workflows in their head to solve them. Innovators love to talk about what they’ve learned and help others get better at analytics.
A Visionary, on the other hand, is an Alteryx customer who oversees their line of business or enterprise’s data and analytics strategy. Visionaries think about the future with foresight and the knowledge that the power of self-service analytics is the key to business growth and sustainability in the future.
In conclusion, Yew Beng highlighted that through data science and analytics, organisations especially the government, have changed the way their business is done and “working together for the economy is very important.”
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The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) recently unveiled the pivotal insights gleaned from its inaugural Singapore Cybersecurity Health Report 2023. Conducted between May and August of the previous year, the survey canvassed the opinions of 2,036 organisations spanning various sises and sectors.
The objective was to gauge the landscape of cybersecurity readiness across local entities and inform CSA’s strategic initiatives. The importance of bolstering cybersecurity resilience within these organisations cannot be overstated, as they play a critical role in shaping the digital experiences of Singaporeans through their services and products.
The findings unveiled a mixed landscape: while the majority of organisations demonstrated an awareness of cybersecurity imperatives, there remains substantial room for improvement in adoption rates. On average, organisations reported implementing around 70% of essential cybersecurity measures across various categories. Additionally, a significant proportion, approximately 75%, acknowledged CSA’s cybersecurity certification programmes, Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust, which serve as national standards for prioritising cybersecurity measures.
Despite these positive indicators, CSA sounded a cautionary note, emphasising the inadequacy of partial adoption. Without the full spectrum of essential measures, organisations remain vulnerable to unnecessary cyber risks. Alarmingly, only a third of organisations had fully implemented at least three of the five categories outlined in Cyber Essentials. This underscores the urgency for comprehensive adoption to fortify cybersecurity posture effectively.
A prevalent challenge cited by organisations hindering full adoption was a lack of knowledge and experience, echoed by 59% of businesses and 56% of non-profits. This is compounded by the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, exacerbated by a shortage of skilled cyber professionals. Moreover, a prevailing perception of being unlikely targets of cyber-attacks and resource constraints further impedes progress in bolstering defences.
The consequences of inadequate cybersecurity measures were starkly evident, with over 80% of organisations reporting encountering cybersecurity incidents annually, including prevalent threats like ransomware and social engineering scams. These incidents invariably inflicted a negative business impact, with disruptions, data loss, and reputational damage among the most commonly cited consequences.
While the cost of implementing cyber hygiene measures may seem daunting, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it pales in comparison to the potential financial ramifications of cyber incidents. CSA emphasises the importance of viewing cybersecurity investment as essential insurance against potentially catastrophic losses.
In response to these challenges, CSA has rolled out a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at bolstering organisational cybersecurity resilience. These include cybersecurity resources to raise awareness, tailored health plans delivered by cybersecurity consultants, and certification programmes such as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Trust. Additionally, the collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority has led to the introduction of the Cybersecurity Health Check, providing organisations with a self-assessment tool to benchmark their cyber hygiene and access remedial resources.
Mr. David Koh, Chief Executive of CSA, stressed the imperative for organisations to prioritise cybersecurity and leverage available resources and funding support. Delaying proactive measures until after an incident occurs, he cautioned, would prove significantly more costly in the long run.
The release of the Singapore Cybersecurity Health Report underscores the urgent need for organisations to fortify their cybersecurity posture comprehensively. By embracing a holistic approach to cybersecurity and leveraging available resources and support, organisations can mitigate risks and safeguard against the increasingly sophisticated cyber threats of the digital age.
The Singapore Cybersecurity Health Report 2023 is available at www.csa.gov.sg/cyberhealthreport and the Cybersecurity Health Check can be accessed at https://www.csa.gov.sg/cyberhealthchecktool.
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In a remarkable leap forward in the field of neuroscience, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have introduced a groundbreaking algorithm known as the Unique Brain Network Identification Number (UBNIN). This innovative algorithm is poised to revolutionise the analysis of brain connectivity patterns, offering profound insights into both healthy brain function and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD).
The human brain, with its intricate network of neural connections, is a marvel of complexity. Each individual possesses a unique pattern of brain connectivity, akin to a fingerprint of the mind. Recognising the significance of these individualised brain networks, the researchers at IIT Guwahati set out to develop a method capable of decoding and quantifying these intricate patterns.
The UBNIN algorithm represents a paradigm shift in how we understand and analyse brain connectivity. Drawing upon data from structural MRI scans, the algorithm constructs a network model of the brain, with each region of the brain represented as a node. These nodes are interconnected by edges, reflecting the strength of connectivity between different brain regions.
What sets UBNIN apart is its ability to distil this complex network into a single numerical identifier. This unique identifier, akin to a digital signature for the brain, encapsulates the individualised connectivity patterns of each person. By quantifying these patterns into numerical values, UBNIN offers a powerful tool for understanding the structural organisation of the brain.
The implications of UBNIN are far-reaching. One potential application lies in the realm of brainprinting, where individual brain signatures could be used for identification purposes. Much like a fingerprint uniquely identifies an individual, UBNIN could serve as a digital identifier for the brain, with applications in personalised medicine, biometrics, and cognitive neuroscience.
Moreover, UBNIN holds promise as a biomarker for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Early detection of Parkinson’s is crucial for initiating timely interventions and improving patient outcomes. By analysing changes in UBNIN values over time, researchers may be able to identify subtle alterations in brain connectivity associated with the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease.
To validate the utility of UBNIN as a biomarker for Parkinson’s disease, researchers conducted a comprehensive study involving structural MRI scans from both PD patients and healthy individuals. The results were promising, with UBNIN values exhibiting distinct patterns in PD patients compared to healthy controls. This suggests that UBNIN has the potential to serve as a sensitive and specific biomarker for Parkinson’s disease, offering new avenues for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.
Furthermore, the researchers explored the impact of age on brain connectivity patterns. Aging is associated with changes in brain structure and function, which may contribute to the development of neurological disorders. By analysing structural MRI data from individuals across different age groups, the researchers found that brain connectivity patterns indeed change with age. Specifically, they observed a decrease in the clustering coefficient—a measure of network connectivity—with increasing age. These findings provide valuable insights into the dynamic nature of brain plasticity and aging.
Dr. Cota Navin Gupta, Assistant Professor at the Neural Engineering Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, commented on the significance of these findings. “UBNIN offers a unique window into the structural organisation of the brain,” he remarked. “By quantifying individualised brain connectivity patterns, UBNIN has the potential to transform our understanding of brain function and dysfunction.”
Looking ahead, the researchers envision further applications of UBNIN in diverse fields, ranging from personalised medicine to cognitive neuroscience. By harnessing the power of UBNIN, researchers may unlock the mysteries of the human brain, paving the way for new insights into neurological disorders and brain health.
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Bushfires represent one of the most formidable challenges faced by firefighters worldwide. With their unpredictable behaviour and rapid spread, combating these blazes demands innovative solutions to ensure the safety of both responders and communities at risk. In a groundbreaking initiative, researchers are harnessing the power of robotics to revolutionise bushfire response, paving the way for more effective firefighting strategies and enhanced situational awareness.
At the heart of this endeavour lies the Silvanus Project, an ambitious international collaboration aimed at developing ground robots capable of navigating fire fronts and gathering crucial data in real-time. Led by researchers from Data61’s Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies, this project represents a pioneering effort to address the inherent dangers associated with traditional firefighting methods.
Bushfires, fueled by factors such as vegetation density and weather conditions, can escalate rapidly, outpacing conventional firefighting techniques. To stay ahead of the inferno, firefighters require accurate information about fire location, direction of spread, and potential hazards. However, obtaining such data often entails placing personnel in hazardous environments, risking their safety in the process.
Drones have emerged as a promising tool for aerial reconnaissance, offering valuable insights into fire behaviour from above. However, their effectiveness is limited by factors such as smoke interference, high winds, and restricted flight times. Recognising these limitations, researchers turned their focus to ground-based solutions, envisioning robots capable of operating in the most challenging of conditions.
The ground robots developed as part of the Silvanus Project are equipped with advanced sensors and navigation systems, allowing them to traverse rugged terrain and navigate through smoke and debris. Some robots are designed to move on legs, mimicking the mobility of insects, while others utilise tracks for increased stability and manoeuvrability. These robots venture into the heart of the fire, gathering critical data such as fire intensity, fuel availability, and environmental conditions.
During a demonstration conducted for fire service representatives and researchers, the capabilities of these ground robots were showcased, highlighting their potential to transform firefighting operations. With the ability to transmit data in real-time to a cloud-based platform, these robots provide firefighters with unprecedented situational awareness, enabling more informed decision-making and proactive firefighting strategies.
Senior experimental scientist Tom Lowe emphasises the significance of these ground robots in enhancing firefighter safety and operational effectiveness. By deploying robots into areas deemed too hazardous for human intervention, firefighters can access vital information without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks. Furthermore, the integration of remote sensing technologies allows robots to assess vegetation density and predict fuel availability, further aiding in fire suppression efforts.
While the technology is still in the developmental stage, researchers are optimistic about its potential impact on future firefighting practices. Navinda Kottege, Cyber-Physical Systems Research Director, underscores the life-saving potential of ground robots, particularly in high-risk firefighting scenarios where human intervention may be impractical or unsafe.
The Silvanus Project represents a collaborative effort involving researchers from across Europe, Australia, Indonesia, and Brazil, united in their mission to develop innovative solutions for forest management and fire prevention. By harnessing the power of robotics and cutting-edge technologies, this initiative aims to bolster preparedness and response capabilities, ultimately saving lives and protecting communities from the devastating impact of bushfires.
As ground robots continue to evolve and mature, fueled by ongoing research and international collaboration, the vision of leveraging technology to mitigate the impact of bushfires grows ever closer to reality. With each technological advancement, firefighters gain new tools and capabilities to confront one of nature’s most formidable adversaries, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called upon the youth to take the lead in propelling Vietnam’s digital transformation, emphasising their crucial role in shaping the nation’s future amidst the burgeoning digital economy. The Prime Minister made these remarks during a dialogue held in Hanoi on March 26, where he engaged with 300 outstanding young individuals from various regions of the country.
With the digital economy projected to contribute 30% to the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, PM Chinh underscored the urgency for Vietnam to embrace digitalisation as an indispensable global trend. He highlighted digital transformation as a cornerstone alongside the green economy, circular economy, sharing economy, and intellectual economy, essential for realising the nation’s development objectives of transitioning into a modern, upper-middle-income country by 2030 and achieving developed, high-income status by 2045.
In his address, PM Chinh urged the youth to champion digitalisation by raising public awareness, advocating for policy reforms, driving administrative modernisation through digital technologies, and advancing research and development efforts in the digital domain. Emphasising their role as pioneers, he expressed confidence in the youth’s ability to contribute, innovate, integrate into society, and pursue personal growth.
Moreover, PM Chinh called upon the youth to collaborate with the government in establishing a digital government, digital economy, digital society, and nurturing digital citisenship. This collaborative approach is deemed essential for harnessing the full potential of digital technologies to address societal challenges and drive inclusive growth.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s call, the youth presented recommendations to the government, emphasising the need to refine the legal framework governing digital platforms and establish effective communication channels to engage citisens in the digital transformation process. They stressed the importance of inclusivity and transparency in policymaking to ensure the successful implementation of digital initiatives.
During the dialogue, PM Chinh addressed queries from the youth regarding data protection, cybersecurity measures, integration of public services with the national population database, and strategies to preserve cultural identity in the digital age. Acknowledging these concerns, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding data privacy, enhancing cybersecurity, and promoting cultural heritage preservation in the digital era.
Furthermore, PM Chinh instructed relevant ministries, authorities, and localities to expedite the implementation of the National Digital Transformation Programme, refine existing mechanisms and policies, and create an enabling environment for youth-led initiatives. This concerted effort aims to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy among the younger generation, thereby ensuring their active participation in shaping Vietnam’s digital future.
The dialogue served as a platform for meaningful exchanges between the government and the youth, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in driving Vietnam’s digital transformation agenda. With the youth at the forefront, Vietnam is poised to harness the opportunities offered by digital technologies to achieve sustainable development and prosperity for all.
As reported by openGov Asia, Vietnam is undergoing a digital revolution, characterised by concerted endeavours to advance the country’s digital transformation. With aspirations to attain high-income status by 2045, Vietnam’s digital technology sector focuses on mastering technology, fostering innovation, and developing domestic manufacturing capacities.
In this context, inclusivity and collaboration are essential, serving as key drivers to unleash the transformative power of technology and foster economic expansion, ensuring broad societal participation and contribution to the nation’s advancement.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of technological innovation, promising transformative solutions to complex challenges across various domains. Recognising its potential to revolutionise industries and improve societal well-being, the National University of Singapore (NUS) has inaugurated the NUS AI Institute (NAII). Led by Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, NAII aims to accelerate AI research and its practical applications, fostering collaboration, innovation, and societal impact.
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, AI has emerged as a powerful tool with the capacity to reshape diverse sectors, ranging from healthcare to finance, education, logistics, and beyond. The establishment of NAII underscores NUS’s commitment to harnessing AI for the greater good, addressing critical issues facing Singapore and the global community.
At the core of NAII’s mission is the advancement of fundamental AI research, aimed at pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities and exploring novel applications across various domains. Through foundational research initiatives, scientists at NAII will tackle complex AI problems, spanning hardware and software systems, AI theory, responsible AI, reasoning AI, and resource-efficient AI. By delving into these areas, the institute seeks to develop cutting-edge AI technologies that address real-world challenges and drive innovation.
Moreover, NAII will prioritise research into the ethical and societal implications of AI, aiming to develop robust governance frameworks that ensure responsible AI development and deployment. This includes examining issues related to transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making in AI systems. By fostering dialogue and research on AI ethics and governance, NAII aims to guide the responsible use of AI technology and mitigate potential risks.
In addition to foundational research, NAII will spearhead applied research initiatives, focusing on developing AI-driven solutions for specific application domains. Collaborating with experts from diverse fields, including healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, finance, urban sustainability, and education, the institute will tackle pressing challenges and explore opportunities for AI-driven innovation. From optimising supply chains to improving healthcare outcomes and enhancing urban infrastructure, NAII’s applied research efforts aim to deliver tangible benefits to society.
Furthermore, NAII will serve as a hub for AI talent development, providing comprehensive education and training programs for students, professionals, and policymakers. By offering hands-on learning experiences and internships, the institute seeks to nurture the next generation of AI leaders and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation in AI.
To support its research and educational endeavours, NUS has allocated significant resources to NAII, including external research grants and institutional funding. Moreover, the institute will collaborate closely with government agencies and industry partners to amplify its impact and drive innovation. Strategic partnerships with leading companies such as IBM and Google Cloud will enable NAII to leverage industry expertise and resources, accelerating the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications.
In alignment with Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) strategy, NAII aims to contribute to the nation’s AI ecosystem by fostering collaboration, innovation, and talent development. By positioning NUS as a global leader in AI research and application, the institute seeks to drive positive societal change and economic growth.
The establishment of NAII represents a significant milestone in NUS’s journey towards harnessing the power of AI for societal benefit. Through cutting-edge research, education, and collaboration, the institute aims to unlock the full potential of AI and pave the way for a more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive future. With its interdisciplinary approach and commitment to excellence, NAII is poised to make a lasting impact on Singapore and the global AI landscape.
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The Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has reached a significant milestone with its artificial intelligence (AI) platform, VNPT eKYC, logging over 1 billion user authentication requests. This accomplishment solidifies VNPT’s position as a pioneer in electronic identification and verification solutions within Vietnam.
Since its inception, VNPT eKYC has been at the forefront of electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) services for over five years, serving a diverse range of clients including banks, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and e-commerce entities. With over 100 organisations utilising its services, VNPT eKYC has facilitated electronic identification for more than 40 million individuals across the country.
On average, the VNPT eKYC system processes an impressive 600,000 requests daily, with peak days witnessing over a million requests being handled seamlessly. This demonstrates the platform’s robustness and reliability in managing high volumes of authentication transactions efficiently.
The significance of VNPT eKYC extends beyond its technological capabilities, particularly in the context of evolving regulatory requirements. The State Bank of Vietnam’s decision mandating biometric authentication for transactions exceeding 10 million VND (approximately 416 USD) and other significant transactions from July 1, 2024, underscores the critical role of advanced authentication solutions like VNPT eKYC in ensuring compliance and security in financial transactions.
Moreover, the platform’s success highlights the increasing importance of domestically developed solutions in the banking and financial sector. Domestic solutions such as VNPT eKYC offer several advantages, including rapid implementation, cost-effectiveness, adherence to global technology standards, scalability, and high readiness to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
Central to the effectiveness of VNPT eKYC is its advanced AI models, which enable the verification of facial biometric data with an impressive accuracy rate of up to 99.99%. This high level of accuracy not only enhances the security of authentication processes but also contributes to building trust and confidence among users and regulatory authorities.
As Vietnam’s digital economy continues to grow and evolve, the role of advanced authentication and verification solutions like VNPT eKYC becomes increasingly indispensable. Beyond facilitating seamless and secure electronic transactions, these solutions contribute to enhancing the overall digital infrastructure and ecosystem of the country, paving the way for further innovation and economic growth.
Looking ahead, VNPT remains committed to advancing its AI platform and expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of its clients and the regulatory landscape. With a strong focus on innovation, reliability, and security, VNPT eKYC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of electronic identification and verification in Vietnam’s dynamic digital economy.
VNPT’s achievement of logging over 1 billion authentication requests with its AI platform, VNPT eKYC, marks a significant milestone in Vietnam’s journey towards digital transformation.
Amid a swiftly changing global landscape, Vietnam emerges as a frontrunner in a digital revolution, strategically positioned to harness technology’s transformative power for economic progress and societal development.
It is embracing its digital transformation journey, highlighting collaborative efforts to drive the nation’s digital transformation. The nation’s digital technology industry aims to propel Vietnam towards high-income status by 2045 through technology mastery, innovation, and indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Moreover, the nation is working to harmonise its regulations, streamline laws, and promote consistency in its legal framework to foster a more favourable and appealing cyber environment.
As the country continues to embrace technology-driven solutions to address emerging challenges, VNPT eKYC stands as a testament to the potential of domestic innovation in driving progress and excellence in the digital era.
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In a significant scientific breakthrough in a space sector, Dr Sarah Kessans has developed hardware designed to operate autonomously in orbit, transforming the study of protein crystallisation in microgravity. This technology provides scientists on Earth with unprecedented insights into protein behaviour, with far-reaching implications for developing more effective medicines and vaccines, among other applications.
Minister for Space Dr Megan Collins lauds Dr Kessans’ research as an inspiring example of how space technology can drive innovation on Earth. This achievement follows the recent successful launch of MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to track and monitor global emissions from space, highlighting the significant potential of space technology in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges while bolstering our globally competitive space sector.
The MethaneSAT satellite will be equipped with a highly sensitive spectrometre that can detect concentrations as low as two parts per billion, and it will have high-spatial resolution coupled with a broad, 200-kilometre view path, allowing it to quantify even small emission sources over large areas.
Dr Kessans’ research culminated in successfully launching her hardware on a rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, USA. This mission also included protein experiments from leading New Zealand universities, including Canterbury, Otago, Victoria, and Waikato, showcasing the collaborative efforts of the country’s academic institutions in advancing space science and technology.
The launch of Dr Kessans’ project results from a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the US commercial space company Axiom Space. This partnership aims to facilitate New Zealand researchers’ advancement in space science and technology, fostering innovation and driving collaboration between academia, government, and private enterprise.
Dr Kessans’ project has also received government funding for further development through the MBIE-administered Endeavour Fund, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge research and innovation in the space sector. This collaborative effort between academia, government, and private enterprise is a testament to New Zealand’s growing presence in the global space economy, positioning the country as a key player in space research and technology development.
Previously, New Zealand had collaborated with several countries, including Australia, to advance space research, as reported by OpenGov. The collaboration between SmartSat and the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) is an important development. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities aims to accelerate the growth and technological advancement of the Australian and New Zealand space industries, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of space exploration and innovation in the Australasian region.
This partnership is underpinned by a shared commitment to fostering innovation, driving research and development (R&D), and nurturing a skilled workforce capable of propelling technological breakthroughs in the space sector. The MoU, ceremoniously signed at the NZSA headquarters in Wellington, signifies a strategic alignment between SmartSat and NZSA to leverage their combined resources and expertise.
At the core of this collaboration, it is designated to support joint research initiatives in three key technological domains: Earth Observation, Space Situational Awareness, and Optical Communications. These areas represent the forefront of space exploration, offering immense potential to revolutionise humanity’s perception and interaction with the cosmos.
Minister Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister for Space, praised the new agreement as a testament to the enduring collaboration between Australia and New Zealand in space exploration. In a statement on her official website, she reiterated her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration, recognising the transformative potential of space technology in addressing global challenges.
Minister Collins reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing the country’s space sector, promoting innovation, and strengthening partnerships with the New Zealand research community, international space agencies, and commercial collaborators. These collaborative approaches underscore New Zealand’s commitment to advancing space science and technology to benefit society and the economy, paving the way for future breakthroughs in the field.