EXCLUSIVE: Modern Data Experience – Simple, Seamless and Sustainable Management of Data

Without doubt, data is seen as a vital asset today for gaining insights into the market and for understanding consumer behaviour.

Data does not act alone; it plays a role in the use of technologies such as cloud services and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies work hand in hand for managing the inflow and large volumes of data.

The modern data experience leverages the agility and innovation of multiple technologies to allow for better performance – increased productivity and efficiency of organisations.

The financial industry understood this long enough and has been innovating on its systems and working on using technologies to provide better customer experience.

The OpenGov Breakfast Insight on 17 January 2020, held at Amara Singapore, was attended by delegates from the financial services industry who shared their insights on embracing the modern data experience.

Data is the DNA of all technologies

Mo OpenGov Asia — Mohit Sagar: Insights of data give flavour to what is happening

Insights of data are the main thing now, along with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum and other technologies.

Mohit Sagar, Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of OpenGov Asia, shared on AC/DC: a term OpenGov had coined to easily remember its prediction for where innovation and technology are heading toward.

According to this prediction, the trends being seen now are AI, Convergence, Data and Cyber Resilience.

Mohit stressed that data is the DNA of it all. “The insights of data give the flavour of what is going on,” he said.

Data is being collected at rapid speed, either at random or as a continuous process. While data is getting structured, it is also undergoing a metamorphosis, which in this case is data transformation.

Data is getting structured. Consumers are collecting data without even realising it. Bite-sized pieces of data are being collected by the minute, creating a drip-feed of information.

Data is also being recognised as the new hero; it helps to drive information and innovation. But are we trusting it?

In the face of the government, bureaucratic and legal obstacles are reasons for the Public Sector having obstacles to achieving it.

Mohit encouraged the sharing of data as it is now existing as a competitive space. With people being the game-changer, technology has to be enabled together with the empowerment of people.

It is imperative for institutions to find the next platform. Technology is not an expense but instead is a vital part of data transformation.

Challenges will keep coming but they should be apprehended, one at a time.

“Get the right advice, the right stakeholders and the right partners and then be a game-changer.”
Mohit Sagar

Data will be best used and produce the desired results when the right strategies are adopted, to maximise the use of data. Mohit put forth that “adding ice” with more innovations and ideas will be fruitful in achieving the desired outcomes.

Data-driven to Data-centric

Sunil OpenGov Asia — Sunil Chavan: Have a single data-hub strategy as the next phase

The world is moving from data-driven to data-centric. A data-driven approach refers to putting things in silos while a data-driven approach allows data to be used anywhere the user wants to, and for any application.

Sunil Chavan, Vice President of FlashBlade at Pure Storage, shared insights based on conversations with FinTech firms and startups.

From these interactions, it appears that fintech companies have solutions and technology to offer but banks do not have data to provide. This could be due to regulatory issues or data not being available.

Due to such situations, Pure Storage focuses more on providing data-centric services, so that data is free to be used in the way it is intended to be used.

The Digital Transformation journey is undertaken with investments made in 7 key areas which include business intelligence or data analytics solutions, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and cloud services/solutions, according to a Gartner report.

Data is at the heart of it all, impacting areas such as business analytics, cybersecurity, cloud adoption, application modernisation and DevOps, customer experience and AI/machine learning.

Business problems have changed, and open banking is one of them. Open banking requires some microservices-based application development. Without the data to support that or being stuck with latency infrastructure, this creates a gap. New companies, cloud or digital banking organisations are looking at how this can be approached.

Digital transformation is fundamentally made up of four key areas- performance, agility, minimising cost, and reliability.

Sunil added that the next phase of digital transformation will see the adoption of a single data-hub strategy, moving away from data lakes.This strategy will allow for access to information, provide the data to the app and bring it back as intended.

The “Modern Data Experience”, looks at modernising infrastructure with core applications. Sunil added that Pure Storage is potentially one of the first for creating a pre-emptive augmented AI-based data management solution for its customers. Real-time analytics and AI were the DNA for it.

“Embracing the modern data experience is about keeping things fast, using cloud infrastructure, keeping it simple, and subscribing to innovation.”
Sunil Chavan

Data is going to be the game-changer

Kate Carruthers, Chief Data and Insights Officer at UNSW Sydney, shared that data is inherently risky the more you collect. She said that data is not exactly the “next oil”, with oil being a finite resource and data being infinite.

The 5 propositions of data are:

Kate OpenGov Asia — Kate Carruthers: Banks should change their landscape

Data is not neutral
There is no such thing as raw data
The signal to noise ratio has changed
Data is not inherently smart
The more data we have the less anonymity

Data is not neutral. The selection of one piece of data over another, decisions are made of what data to keep and of what data not to keep.

As a result, there is no such thing as raw data. The signal to noise ratio, with so much data now, it is difficult to get that the signal.

AI and Machine learning are used here due to the sheer scale of data. Data is assumed to be inherently smart.

But data needs to be curated and understood to make the right decisions using it.

Data is currently existing in disconnected silos, instead of being integrated neatly together. It is hard to get data from different sources and place in a common format to be understood. Instead, we are dealing with unformatted data. AI technology is yet unable to navigate this.

The following are the drivers of digital transformation in Australia:

EU’s revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2)
General Data Protection Regulation
Competition and market authorities push for a level playing field
Fallout from the Banking Royal Commission

But none of it is about customers. Australia is largely driven by regulatory actions. The regulatory framework is changing, and it is driven by the European Union (EU). The EU is setting the agenda for data protection and banking, with its service directives.

The real challenge in Australia is that non-banking competitors are trying to slip into that space and service customers while providing great customer experience. Big banks are unfortunately not doing well to respond to that.

The customer experience will become critical for the new landscape, which will look at the increasing use of microservices. Staring from a customer service orientation will help to drive business. APIs will become fundamental to this.

Ultimately, data is going to be the game changer and digital transformation is founded upon data. This cannot happen without good data. With so much data at hand, AI and machine learning will be needed to gain analytics insights. With that, Kate added that the landscape of banking will have to change dramatically.

Where are organisations at?

In some financial institutions, there is a big push for digital transformation and innovation. But when a dollar value is put on it for funding a project or innovation, it is not always at the top of cards. The focus instead is more on existing process efficiencies and cost reduction.

The challenge with that is that with a lot of innovation going on, the shift of process comes at a huge cost. Risk-taking is not an option. Especially with banks having legacy structures, a lot of change is required.

In fact, for some financial institutions, digital transformation is made up of, improving efficiencies and reducing maintenance cost, and digital record-keeping to comply with government legislation.

The Public Sector session on Wednesday saw the response of the government viewing digital transformation and innovation as a key IT priority.

Glenn OpenGov Asia — Glenn Ashe – Chief Information and Technology Officer at AIHW

Digital transformation is seen to be important for evolving business value. In the FSI space, there is not an ultimate vision for the future.

Business value is constantly changing. From the perspective of private banking, external customer-centricity is crucial as it is the end goal. This end goal is what will drive business value.

Getting real-time insights, from a business point-of-view, is about getting the right data with the right insights.

Banks are struggling with data quality, especially with them sitting on a mountain of data. It is also a hassle having to deal with many legacy systems.

Depending on the type of data, either regulatory compliance or real-time insights will the biggest challenge for data management.

Again, legacy systems pose a challenge for managing change in data/business requirements. There is a lack of flexibility/agility in current systems.

Data Accessibility and Sharing is viewed as the biggest pain point in the big data value chain for financial institutions. Having said that, data analytics is one area of technology which financial institutions are looking to invest in, for it to be a key driver of digital transformation.

Creating the modern data experience

Data underpins the entirety of digital transformation. Convergence of infrastructure will be an upcoming trend, though there still is confusion around it. Using the right technologies and understanding how to manage data will help to achieve the digital transformation goals. This all comes together under embracing the modern data experience.

Singapore’s Retail Jobs Transformation Map

Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry launched the Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) for Retail as a guiding resource to help retail companies plan and ensure that their workforce is equipped with the necessary skill sets to meet evolving business needs.

Following the release of the Retail Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 in October last year, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) collaborated with the Ministry of Manpower to create the JTM, which was supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).

Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), in collaboration with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), has been designated as a programme partner for the Jobs Skills Integrator for Retail (JSIT-R).

The JSIT-R is a dedicated intermediary that offers retailers end-to-end solutions for workforce transformation, staff training, and job matching services. When engaging with retailers, the JSIT-R will consult the JTM.

Retail trade associations and chambers (TACs) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SNEF and NTUC to demonstrate their support for the JSIT-R and the implementation of the JTM. TACs are committed to reaching out to and collaborating with over 1,100 member companies and other retailers to accelerate employment transformation for their workforce of about 94,000 employees.

To ensure that the Retail sector can continue to attract and retain talent while also creating quality jobs, a study was conducted to identify future industry trends as well as anticipate how future job roles and required skill sets must change to create new opportunities and meet evolving business needs.

Four major trends and opportunities have been identified:

Shifts in consumer needs as a result of changes in lifestyle, preferences, and awareness;
Emergence of new retail models (e.g., omnichannel, customer-centric retail experience, and innovative business model) that enable enhanced brand and shopping experiences;
Using data analytics and improvements in retail technology to increase productivity and efficiency;
Create a resilient and agile supply chain to improve inventory management and enable more fulfilling alternatives in an increasingly complicated and turbulent supply chain environment.

The JTM analysis highlighted existing work roles that are likely to change somewhat or significantly, such as sales associates and store managers. Changes such as new technology and shifting consumer needs will transform these jobs.

A fundamental recommendation in the JTM report for adapting to these trends and technology improvements is to transform the workforce through human capital development programmes that include training, job redesign, and skills-based career progression pathways.

Such efforts would allow employees to focus on more value-added work and plan their evolution, which would help the growth of businesses.

Some emerging job roles include Sustainability Specialist, Product Innovator, Customer Experience Manager, Customer Intelligence Analyst, Omni-channel Manager, Digital Marketer, Digital Transformation Manager, UI/UX Designer and Full Stack Developer.

Further, retailers can stay competitive in a continuously changing industry by utilising data analytics and developments in retail technology. It helps them to provide personalised experiences, optimise operations, and boost customer satisfaction, resulting in higher profitability and long-term success.

The utilisation of data analytics and improvements in retail technology is critical for merchants looking to increase productivity and efficiency. Retailers can obtain important insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and market trends by leveraging the power of data analytics.

This data enables them to make data-driven decisions, improve inventory management, personalise marketing efforts, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Hong Kong Advancing Autonomous Driving and C-V2X Tech

The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) and a driverless vehicle company, established by a Chinese multinational technology corporation, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively advance the implementation of autonomous driving and C-V2X technology in various scenarios within Hong Kong. The partnership also aims to explore opportunities for cooperation in developing High-Definition Maps (HD Maps), thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s smart mobility ecosystem.

The Vice President of Communication Technologies at ASTRI and the Head of Business Development at the driverless vehicle company signed the agreement. The signing was witnessed by the Chief Operating Officer of ASTRI and the Head of the international arm of the company.

As part of this collaboration, the two parties will extend the implementation of C-V2X technology to additional scenarios. The driverless vehicle company will provide support to ASTRI in the research and development of roadside infrastructure. Specifically, the company will deploy its Operating System of Intelligent Road Side (Smart Road Air OS) at the Sha Tin Smart Mobility Public Testing Route, aiding ASTRI in its endeavours.

This partnership capitalises on the tech company’s expertise in developing C-V2X infrastructure, autonomous driving software, and intelligent transportation operations, along with ASTRI’s strong research and development capabilities in 5G communication technology, AI, smart mobility, C-V2X technology, and road-testing experience. By merging these strengths, the collaboration aims to expedite the deployment of C-V2X technology across various scenarios in Hong Kong.

To address the distinctive urban environment of Hong Kong, both parties will additionally explore opportunities for cooperation in the development of High-Definition Maps (HD Maps). These efforts will focus on enhancing the technology and usability of HD maps through experimental projects. By collaborating on this aspect, the aim is to create more accurate and comprehensive mapping solutions that cater to the specific needs of Hong Kong’s urban landscape.

ASTRI has been actively involved in the research and development of C-V2X technology since 2015. With support from the Smart Transportation Fund of the Transport Department, ASTRI launched one of the world’s largest C-V2X public road tests in Hong Kong in 2021. This extensive test covered a 14km route from Hong Kong Science Park to Sha Tin town centre, allowing for the study and testing of C-V2X technology in various real-world scenarios on Hong Kong’s roads. The focus was not only on the technology itself but also on the necessary network and infrastructure.

Currently, the second phase of C-V2X public road tests is underway. The primary objective is to enhance road and pedestrian safety while improving traffic efficiency. This is achieved through the efficient, accurate, and rapid sharing of information leveraging one of ASTRI’s Hero Technologies: a high-speed, reliable, and low-latency 5G network solution.

In addition, the establishment of the “Smart Mobility (C-V2X) Technology Alliance” in April 2023 further enhances Hong Kong’s smart mobility ecosystem. This alliance promotes collaboration among the government, industry, academia, and research institutions, fostering cooperation on smart mobility and related technologies. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the implementation of C-V2X technology and infrastructure in Hong Kong, positioning the city as a model for smart cities.

Meanwhile, the company serves as a pilot unit for the state’s transportation sector. Its intelligent transportation business, along with its affiliated companies, is dedicated to spearheading the modernization of China’s intelligent transportation systems.

Their mission is to develop a world-class, integrated transportation system that aligns with the high-quality standards of being safe, convenient, efficient, green, and economical. Their efforts are in line with the overarching goal of achieving a transportation system that prioritizes people’s satisfaction, provides robust protection, and sets a global benchmark in terms of excellence.

The Association for Operating Systems of Intelligent Road Side was established in Beijing on 17 May 2023. This association introduced the Operating System of Intelligent Road Side (Smart Road Air OS 1.0) to the industry. The company, as one of the key technology contributors, will continue to adhere to the guiding principle of “Open Capabilities, Shared Resources, Accelerating Innovations, Sustainable Success.”

The company aims to foster the development of the smart transportation industry through an efficient, innovative, and mutually beneficial open-source association. By actively participating in this association, the company seeks to promote collaboration, encourage the sharing of resources and capabilities, and drive accelerated innovation within the smart transportation sector.

Singapore Enhancing Robotics in Food Services

A*STAR, in collaboration with a local F&B-centric robotics and automation SME, has developed a joint research and innovation initiative to foster innovation in robotic platforms for the Food Services industry.

This programme will combine both parties’ Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre’s (ARTC) skills to develop solutions that incorporate Food and Beverage (F&B) domain knowledge, as well as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation.

The F&B-centric robotics and automation SME and A*STAR’s ARTC will invest S$3.5 million in developing a modular vision platform that can assist robotised operations in F&B by assisting these robots to self-navigate and self-calibrate in dynamic and space-constrained environments such as restaurant kitchens.

The combined effort will also use a digital twin platform to establish a digital representation of the F&B robotic system, allowing for real-time analytics that enables remote monitoring and optimisation of operations, accelerating the deployment of new robotic systems and decreasing operational downtime.

The combined research and innovation project embodies both A*STAR’s and the firm’s desire to leverage mutual capabilities to perform research combining F&B domain expertise, robotics, automation, AI, vision, and digital twin technologies.

The partnership is sure that the technology they produce will assist support and building the digital and automation capabilities of F&B firms. Besides, they believe that this will help Singapore establish itself as a major F&B robotics and automation hub, increase the efficiency of Food Service personnel, and help address the sector’s manpower problem and rising operational expenses.

The collaborative effort intends to create solutions that will enable the Food Services industry to automate operations and boost efficiency, lowering the amount of repetitious and physically demanding work and allowing F&B personnel to focus on higher-value jobs.

A*STAR’s ARTC engages with local enterprises to co-develop breakthrough technologies and co-innovate industry solutions to seize new growth possibilities locally and worldwide, according to Dr David Low, CEO of A*STAR’s ARTC.

He added that such public-private collaborations are critical in bringing complementary expertise together to address problem statements and increase productivity and efficiency in the Fast-Moving Food Services industry and beyond.

The Food Services business is set to expand and evolve further. Digitalisation and automation are critical to assisting F&B businesses in thriving and overcoming obstacles such as a labour shortage.

This collaboration will develop solutions to assist F&B enterprises in optimising their operations. They anticipate more similar cooperation between innovation and IT ecosystem partners to boost F&B company growth.

Drive innovation is critical for the food services industry because it has the potential to revolutionise operations and address significant concerns. Innovation serves as fuel for growth and sustainability in an era characterised by technical advancements and shifting consumer expectations.

Automation streamlines operations and reduces reliance on manual labour. Tasks such as food preparation, cooking, and serving can be carried out more efficiently by adding robotics, AI, and automation technology, resulting in higher productivity and lower operational expenses.

Improved consumer experiences are made possible by innovation. From self-ordering kiosks and smartphone apps to personalised recommendations and delivery drones, technology advancements improve consumer convenience, speed, and personalisation. This results in increased client happiness and loyalty, which ultimately drives corporate success.

It is also critical in addressing labour shortages. With rising labour costs and a diminishing workforce, automation and robotics provide options to fill the gaps, allowing food service enterprises to remain efficient and successful.

In addition, food service industry innovation can reduce environmental effects. Through innovative technologies, sustainable practices such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly packaging solutions can be integrated, leading to a greener and more socially responsible industry.

Vietnam’s Enhancing E-commerce Governance

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued Directive No. 18/CT-TTg, which aims to enhance data connectivity and sharing to foster the growth of e-commerce, prevent tax loss, and safeguard monetary security.

The directive acknowledged that the rapid expansion of the e-commerce market has presented significant challenges in effectively managing e-commerce activities and tax administration. It emphasised the need for close collaboration among specialised management agencies to regulate payment transactions and verify the information of businesses, individuals, and taxpayers in response to the evolving digital business landscape.

The Prime Minister has assigned specific tasks to various ministries and agencies in the directive. They will enhance efficiency and facilitate digital transformation in the governance of e-commerce activities, digital platform trading, cross-border business, and data sharing among ministries and agencies for the advancement of e-commerce.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has been assigned the responsibility to collaborate with other relevant ministries in the process of amending legal documents pertaining to e-commerce. This includes streamlining administrative procedures and implementing strict measures to address tax and customs violations.

It has also been assigned the responsibility of developing a comprehensive plan for data connection and sharing with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS), the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), and other relevant agencies. This plan aims to strengthen tax administration for e-commerce activities and the provision of cross-border digital products and services. The deadline for completing this plan is set for the third quarter of this year.

MoIC is tasked with coordinating efforts among ministries and agencies to standardise, digitise, connect, and share data pertaining to e-commerce. SBV has been directed to collaborate with MoF and other relevant agencies to establish a mechanism for overseeing payment transactions. This mechanism will specifically support tax administration for cross-border service provision, in accordance with the Law on Tax Administration and other related legislations.

MoPS has been urged to accelerate the integration of the national population database with the databases and information systems of ministries, agencies, and local authorities. This integration is crucial for implementing e-identification and e-authentication systems. The MoPS is also tasked with collaborating with relevant agencies to refine specialised laws and policies that safeguard e-commerce development and monetary security, as well as prevent tax loss.

The Government Office will coordinate with relevant ministries in continuing to promote the integration and provision of online public services, and online payment in the fields of taxation and e-commerce on the National Public Service Portal.

Earlier this week, SBV urged banks, foreign bank branches, and intermediaries in payment services to actively support the advancement of cashless transactions and the implementation of the national digital transformation programme.

The move aims to aid the plan on developing the application of resident data and electronic identification and authentication to support the national digital transformation agenda during the period of 2022-2025, with a vision extending to 2030.

As OpenGov Asia reported, the banks, foreign bank branches, and intermediaries in payment services will persist in their efforts to devise favourable programmes and policies concerning payment and intermediary payment service fees for customers. The SBV has also urged them to waive account maintenance fees and cash withdrawal fees for customers entitled to the social security policy. They have been instructed to proactively engage in practical initiatives to commemorate Cashless Day 2023, which takes place on 16 June, and to continue their efforts throughout the entire month.

Singapore Unveils AI Government Cloud Cluster

The Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO) and a major cloud computing company have announced the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Government Cloud Cluster (AGCC), a comprehensive platform designed to accelerate AI adoption in Singapore’s public sector, advance local applied AI research efforts and support the growth of the local AI startup ecosystem.

The AGCC has been implemented by SNDGO and the cloud tech company for usage by Singapore’s government agencies and the research, innovation, and enterprise (RIE) ecosystem. The AGCC is hosted in Singapore in a specialised cloud computing environment.

Agencies can use the AGCC to build and deploy scalable and impactful AI applications rapidly, safely, ethically, and cost-effectively by leveraging an AI technology stack and a vast partner ecosystem of software-as-a-service firms, consultancies, and AI startups. AI technology stack capabilities include:

First, an AI-optimised infrastructure. High-performance A2 supercomputers powered by NVIDIA’s A100 GPUs and hosted in an open, scalable, secure, and energy-efficient infrastructure. This enables cloud developers to train computationally complex AI models at fast speeds while minimising costs and environmental impact.

Customisable first-party, third-party, and open-source AI models follow. A central repository enabling AI practitioners to access pre-trained generative AI models, with built-in features to assist users in customising these models for specific requirements.

The repository contains a wide range of first-party, third-party, and open-source models designed for certain needs. These include models for summarising and translating text in different languages, sustaining an ongoing discussion, converting audio to text, producing, and modifying software code, and generating and repairing written descriptions.

International AI businesses interested in making their foundation models available to Singapore government departments can collaborate with the Cloud computing company to store these models in the repository.

Another category is no-code AI development tools. A Generative AI App Builder enabling developers (especially those with limited technical expertise) to swiftly construct and seamlessly embed chatbots and enterprise search experiences driven by Cloud’s generative AI models.

Finally, there are explainable AI and data governance toolkits. A set of built-in technologies that can assist government agencies in using AI in a secure and responsible manner. This includes features for access control and content moderation, as well as novel mechanisms for incorporating human feedback to improve model performance and the ability to audit the sources of AI model outputs to detect and resolve potential bias and ensure that model behaviour is compliant with regulations.

The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) is Singapore’s first public-sector organisation to use the AGCC. Its Open Government Products (OGP) team has integrated with Vertex AI and is investigating the use of its models in Pair, which are large language model-powered assistants that civil servants can use to help them boost productivity while maintaining the confidentiality of government information.

To help government agencies deploy AI applications as effectively and responsibly as possible, the Cloud tech company will collaborate with GovTech to design and run whole-of-government Digital Academy programmes that will assist agencies in developing in-house data science and AI expertise, developing AI innovation strategies, and implementing data governance best practices.

The programmes will be delivered in a variety of specialised formats to 150,000 public servants from 16 ministries and over 50 statutory boards.

Government agencies in Singapore will be able to use the AGCC and other authorised services through the Government on Commercial Cloud (GCC) 2.0 platform beginning in June 2023. The GCC platform, developed by GovTech, offers agencies a standardised and regulated means to implement commercial cloud solutions.

GCC 2.0, the platform’s second generation, is integrated with cloud-native capabilities and cloud security practices, enabling agencies to access into a larger ecosystem of services and people to accelerate the development of new digital applications.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Western Australia’s Support for Rural Communities

The Government of Western Australia is taking significant steps to support rural and remote communities across Western Australia by providing funding for technology projects that aim to enhance community services. In an effort to bridge the digital divide and promote access to essential resources, more than AU$ 330,000 has been allocated to support 44 Community Resource Centres (CRC) in implementing various technology and innovation initiatives throughout the regions.

These projects encompass a wide range of endeavours aimed at improving the lives of community members in rural areas. For instance, a notable initiative involves the upgrade of 13 public computers in Broome. These computers play a crucial role in the community, particularly for individuals who do not have the luxury of owning personal computers in their homes. By upgrading these public computers, the CRC in Broome will be able to provide better access to information, educational resources, and essential online services to local residents.

The funding provided by the McGowan Government will empower CRCs in rural and remote areas to embrace technological advancements and leverage innovative solutions to address community needs. By implementing these technology projects, the government aims to enhance the overall quality of life in these regions, promote digital inclusion, and ensure that residents have equal opportunities to access crucial online services and resources.

In addition to the aforementioned initiatives, the funding provided by the Government will enable other Community Resource Centres (CRCs) in Western Australia to embark on innovative projects tailored to their local community needs. The Frankland River CRC, for example, plans to establish a Smart Home Hub demonstration centre, which will serve as a showcase for the latest advancements in home automation and smart technologies. This initiative aims to educate and familiarize community members with the benefits and possibilities of integrating smart technologies into their homes.

Meanwhile, the Beverley CRC intends to establish a content creation studio with a specific focus on social media marketing for local businesses in the Wheatbelt region. This studio will help businesses develop engaging content for their social media platforms, enabling them to effectively promote their products and services to a wider audience. By enhancing their online presence and digital marketing capabilities, local businesses can potentially attract more customers and bolster economic growth in the region.

The grant program extends to all Community Resource Centres within the WA Community Resource Network, encompassing over 100 CRCs located in regional and remote areas across the State. Each eligible CRC has the opportunity to apply for grants of up to AU$ 10,000 under the program.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development administers the program, ensuring that the funding is allocated and used effectively to support technology and innovation projects that benefit rural and remote communities in Western Australia.

The Minister of Regional Development emphasised the importance of Community Resource Centres (CRCs) as community-driven organizations that play a crucial role in providing essential support to residents and businesses in rural and remote areas across Western Australia. The funding initiative aims to equip CRCs with the necessary technological resources to deliver modern and effective services to their respective communities.

This funding program recognises that community needs vary across different regions, and it empowers local CRCs to identify and address the specific improvements that will bring the greatest benefits to their stakeholders. By allowing CRCs to leverage their deep understanding of local needs and dynamics, the initiative ensures that the allocated funds are used in ways that best serve the communities they serve. This approach acknowledges the unique challenges and opportunities faced by each CRC and supports their efforts in delivering impactful projects tailored to their community’s requirements.

Singapore’s Digital Solutions for Advance Care Planning

According to Masagos Zulkifli, Second Minister for Health at the recently concluded 8th Advance Care Planning International Conference, person-centred care includes prioritising the patient’s choices and involving the patient and their family in care decisions. As a result, advance care planning (ACP) allows individuals to communicate their enhanced healthcare preferences.

ACP has been adopted in Singapore under the Advance Medical Directive Act and the Mental Capacity Act. Over 35,000 Singaporeans have completed their plans under the “Living Matters” programme, which promotes ACP.

In the future, the Ministry of Health hopes to raise awareness and acceptance of ACP, which has earned global prominence for aligning care with individual beliefs.

Minister Masagos noted that three issues must be overcome to promote the wider adoption of ACP. To begin, Singapore’s traditional society requires a mindset shift to normalise dialogues about death and dying, particularly among the elderly.

Second, additional facilitators, particularly trustworthy doctors, should be included to effectively engage the community. Finally, the present ACP facilitation approach requires an improved structure that can accommodate a larger group without losing quality.

In addition, technology should be used to reach out to digitally literate populations and increase scalability. Overcoming these obstacles will allow ACP to gain wider support and implementation in Singapore.

The Ministry of Health hopes to improve accessibility and ease in the ACP process as Singapore embraces technology. Individuals can now complete their ACP autonomously, without the necessity for in-depth talks with facilitators, thanks to the use of digital technologies, especially for those who are generally healthy.

This transition to digital solutions tackles the scalability and resource intensity issues that have plagued traditional ACP facilitation. It also serves a growing generation of digitally literate consumers who want more control over their healthcare decisions.

The ACP community must work with the healthcare system’s continuing improvements, particularly the Healthier SG project, which emphasises preventive care. Key shifts are required to enhance ACP knowledge and implementation.

Also, a societal mindset shift is required, which includes outreach, providing ACP outside of clinical settings, and establishing a statewide Pre-Planning Campaign. Roadshows, workshops, and a digital campaign on the My Legacy site will be part of this effort.

Individuals can use this gateway to get extensive information about ACP, start conversations, and make informed decisions about their life preferences. These programmes not only empower individuals but also promote early planning, ensuring that their values and priorities fit with their care goals.

Individuals and their families will benefit from these efforts, which aim to stimulate talks and early planning for end-of-life care. It is critical to begin these discussions and make the appropriate arrangements, including as purchasing insurance and establishing a durable power of attorney and wills.

Two critical shifts must occur for ACP to be widely adopted. First, healthcare personnel should be encouraged to incorporate ACP dialogues into routine treatment, giving them the knowledge and ability to discuss end-of-life planning with their patients.

This involves starting early dialogues with people who have significant illnesses about how to connect their care plans with their values. Second, to improve the ease, the ACP procedure should be digitalised.

While third-party facilitators are still required in some circumstances, digitally savvy persons who are relatively healthy can self-facilitate the broad ACP without in-depth conversations. Citizens can empower themselves to finish the ACP process independently by leveraging technology and digital platforms.

June 5, 2023

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EXCLUSIVE: Modern Data Experience – Simple, Seamless and Sustainable Management of Data

Singapore’s Retail Jobs Transformation Map

Hong Kong Advancing Autonomous Driving and C-V2X Tech

Singapore Enhancing Robotics in Food Services

Vietnam’s Enhancing E-commerce Governance

Singapore Unveils AI Government Cloud Cluster

Bridging the Digital Divide: Western Australia’s Support for Rural Communities

Singapore’s Digital Solutions for Advance Care Planning

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Qlik

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CTC

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Planview

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SIRIM

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HashiCorp

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IBM