Minister-in-charge of GovTech on Singapore’s approach to AI governance

“The hyperbole, the speculation, the breathless commentary
on artificial intelligence (AI) can potentially generate quite a lot of
confusion, quite a lot of anxiety, but that process doesn’t necessarily lead us
any closer to a solution.”

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of
Education and Ministry of Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge
of the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) started his public lecture on the
‘Societal implications of AI’ at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) on 6 April, with these words. The
session was moderated by Associate
Professor and Co-Director, Institute of Water Policy, Eduardo Araral.

In his address, the Senior Minister of State attempted to
cut through the hyperbole. He talked about the role of Government policy and
regulation and outlined Singapore’s approach in the area of AI.

He said that we need a healthy exchange of considered views
between regulators, academics, practitioners, and technical professionals
together to work out a practical approach to the socio-economic issues and
concerns posed by AI.

A pragmatic policy
response

Dr Puthcheary pointed out that the hyperbole suggests that
AI is already transformative to the point of causing huge disruption. But the
reality is that many of the technologies that are mature enough today for
deployment, such as image recognition and speech processing, are narrow and
function-specific. They are focused on existing business opportunities, and
process. They augment and assist human decisions.

Also, as the technological revolution progresses, what was
previously seen as ground-breaking technology and was viewed as the remit of AI
researchers, becomes commonplace accepted computational capabilities.

“It means that from a policy perspective, we need to focus
on the risks and issues that can be foreseen on the basis of what is happening
today and perhaps accept that there will be unknown unknowns and we will deal
with them when the time comes,” Dr Puthucheary said.

This requires a pragmatic policy response, to ensure that
the technology is allowed to develop and mature without hindrances, while
protecting public interests.

The speed and the scale and the pocket-sized nature of the
computing ability might be new. But the approach is not. Singapore has adopted
this approach previously around technological revolution and has always
recognised that risks are inherent in all systems, as they are even in human
control systems. The question then is how can the potential risks be mitigated,
while maximising the benefits. The idea is to develop a risk-based approach,
building accountability and trust.

Key features of the
Singapore approach

Being proactive and providing early regulatory clarity

Dr Puthucheary said, “On a national basis, we need to, we
want to, and we will be pro-active. We need to be an active player and
influence and shape the development of this space.”

This complements Singapore’s hundreds of millions of dollars
of investment in developing AI capability, through initiatives such as the Smart
Systems Strategic Research Programme and AI Singapore, along with support for the
industry to adopt AI and using AI for improving public service mechanisms.

Concurrently with the above-mentioned initiatives, Singapore
has to develop governance frameworks to support trustworthy and acceptable use
of AI. Doing so early and thereby providing regulatory clarity will encourage
businesses to invest in Singapore and create jobs and also help in the
development of international norms.

Moving towards an industry-based approach

Dr Puthucheary said that Singapore has started putting in
place structures and programmes to address AI risks and governance approaches.

There is a regulators’ roundtable, with regulators across
domains such as transport, health and finance. This horizontal approach of
looking across domains is useful for areas where AI development is at a nascent
stage and the impact of AI where regulatory response might be required is not yet
clear.

“Where things are still developing, we are looking
horizontally across domains, trying to bring the skills together, making sure
we produce the platforms, such that when the knowledge is there, when the
opportunity is there, they will be rapidly propagated across our system,” Dr
Puthucheary explained.

But in sectors where disruption is already happening, Singapore
is taking an industry-specific approach. One example is finance. The Monetary
Authority of Singapore (MAS) is bringing
together thought leaders, practitioners of data analytics and various
professionals in the financial sector to develop a guide for promoting the
responsible and ethical use of AI and data analytics by financial institutions.

While setting up broad horizontal structures, Singapore aims
to move towards an industry-specific approach as far as possible. Dr
Puthucheary emphasized, “When it becomes clear that there is the need, the capability
and the regulatory opportunity to do so, go for an industry-specific approach.”

Adoption of cross-industry principles for Explainable, Fair and Safe AI

Though there is no one-size-fits-all solution or a generic
AI risk governance framework, still some broad principles are required for the
purposes of public accountability and business confidence.

1. The first is to try
as hard as possible to ensure that the algorithmic decisions, the output of
AI-driven processes are explainable and transparent, to a reasonable degree.

“But from the point of view of the relationship between the
industry and the regulators we need to develop the maturity around that process
to expect that we have to explain ourselves to the public about these AI-driven
algorithmic decisions in way, that the public accepts is sufficiently
transparent and fair,” the Senior Minister said.

2. The second principle
is about fairness, in the sense of the removal of human bias.

Depending
on how we engineer AI-driven solutions, there is a possibility that existing
human biases will be get hardcoded into the system, that they will be amplified
and institutionalised.

So, it needs to be objectively demonstrable that the
deployment of AI-based or algorithm-based solution is not amplifying,
institutionalising or coding in human bias. This includes bias that may have been present
before or new bias that has been allowed to creep in.

In areas such as healthcare, defence and security, this is
of critical importance.

3. The third and final
principle is safety.

As increasingly consequential decisions are entrusted
to these support technologies, the public has to be repeatedly reassured of
their safety and well-being.

The tolerance of harms and risks needs to vary with
industry. But as Singapore goes down this development path, there has to be
high regard for the role of safety. Both industry and regulatory organisations
have to assume responsibility for risk and impact assessments, adequate
testing, and necessary limits to mitigate harm.

Dr Puthucheary cited the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s approach
to autonomous vehicles as an example. LTA has imposed a progressive testing
process, which progressively moves up to more challenging conditions and wider
spaces, and holds the autonomous vehicles to a safety bar that is much higher
than a human would be.

This seems to go against the grain of the argument that
ultimately autonomous vehicles would be safer than human drivers. But along the
journey to get to that the ultimate onjective, Dr Puthucheary explained, that
argument has to be reversed and the regulator must ensure that that higher
safety standard is delivered and objectively demonstrated.

Conclusion

The Government needs to be agile in responding to a rapidly
evolving technology such as AI. All of the above might need to change in six
months from now.

The Government must also continue to invest in people and
ensure that Singapore has the right educational base; develop infrastructure to
support the connectivity that is a key requirement for the development of these
types of technologies and their deployment; and develop public sector
capabilities to ensure that these tools are used maximally for the public good.

The Government wants to partner with industry for every step
of the way, from thinking about the development, research, regulations and to
finally providing these solutions.

“We are only at the start of what could potentially be a
very exciting and transformative journey around deployment and development of
AI,” Dr Puthucheary concluded.

“We should move away from the hyperbole, think about it with
some degree of pragamatism, but also a bold vision. We have to believe that
this a space which we can get into and do things with, manage the risks, reduce
the harm, and ultimately exploit the benefits to help our society.”

[1] Earlier
algorithmic decision-making systems relied on rules-based, “if/then” reasoning.
But machine learning and its subset, deep learning systems create more complex
models in which it is difficult to understand why and how decisions were made.
That’s why deep learning systems are often referred to as black boxes.

EXCLUSIVE! The Future of an Innovative Medical Industry with Prof Lawrence Ho Khek-Yu, Senior Consultant & Professor, National University Hospital, Singapore

Having robust, effective, and easily accessible healthcare is essential for enhancing the standard of living, achieving better treatment results and increasing lifespan. Tech-enabled progress made in the field of medicine has been a boon, with groundbreaking innovations and discoveries paving the future of healthcare.

The healthcare sector is witnessing a rapid transformation, with the emergence of new technologies that promise to tackle the most pressing global healthcare challenges. MedTech has become increasingly crucial in this context and has opened up a plethora of possibilities for healthcare professionals to advance their skills and knowledge and expand their reach to underserved regions.

The advent of innovative healthcare technology has empowered doctors to provide better care to a greater number of people, irrespective of their geographical location and help prevent and combat emerging diseases effectively.

Technological advancements offer more effective medication, more accurate diagnostics and improved drug delivery systems giving hope for better patient care and prognoses. Integrating healthcare components through technology can also lead to more efficient and accessible healthcare services while lowering costs.

The healthcare industry hugely benefits from technology, which has been the driving force behind the significant progress made thus far. Technology will continue to play a crucial role in catalysing further advancements in healthcare, enabling healthcare professionals to provide better care, develop innovative treatments and improve patient outcomes.

The Impact of Digital Technology on Healthcare

During an exclusive interview, Prof Lawrence Ho Khek-Yu, a Senior Consultant, Professor, and Director, Centre for Innovation in Healthcare at the National University Health System in Singapore acknowledged the significant influence of COVID-19 on healthcare practices. Social distancing measures have had a profound impact on healthcare delivery both inside and outside the hospital.

“The outbreak has brought about a significant transformation in the digital healthcare landscape. With social distancing measures in place, teleconsultations have become increasingly prevalent, and patients, as well as healthcare providers, have had to adjust to this new format of healthcare delivery,” Prof Lawrence explains.

While the adoption of teleconsultations has seen a good uptake, other digital systems such as digital identification for tracking hospital entry and exit have encountered hurdles during implementation.

Prof Lawrence has identified the lack of an integrated healthcare ecosystem as a major challenge to the successful implementation of telemedicine. While video consultations are prevalent, the scarcity of examination tools and delays in medication delivery remain major obstacles. The limited access to medical information and the inability to provide detailed explanations or drawings further impede the progress of telemedicine.

Additionally, elderly patients, and other segments of society, may have difficulty using technology. Moreover, telemedicine cannot replicate the nonverbal and emotional aspects of in-person interaction. To overcome these obstacles, he feels, telemedicine in healthcare consultations and visits must be refined and expanded.

Prof Lawrence emphasises the need for the medical industry to evolve and improve its diagnostic and treatment capability. Current diagnostic techniques are limited to the five senses but there is a significant potential to collect more accurate and comprehensive patient data through the integration of sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This could lead to more precise diagnoses and tailored treatment plans, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

“Telemedicine may have some advantages, such as reduced travel time and longer appointments, but it will only be successful if patients see it as a viable alternative to face-to-face consultations,” Prof Lawrence reiterates. “It is important to have a gradual evolution and improvement in the medical industry, as opposed to dramatic changes driven by hype.”

He believes current medical developments primarily focus on the developers and creators rather than the end-users. This approach needs to be reoriented towards a more user-centric model for future medical development, including its cost-effectiveness.

Systems should be developed that take into account the specific needs and preferences of patients, healthcare providers and other stakeholders. This would ensure that healthcare development is better aligned with the needs and goals of those who will ultimately benefit from it

Academia should be incentivised to look out for interests outside of its own research driven solely by academic interests such as self-serving publications and ranking are no longer practical nor justifiable by public funding. There is a growing consensus that the focus of research should shift towards the development of practical applications.

In addition, he stresses the importance of investors in promoting innovation and addressing gaps within the healthcare ecosystem. He suggests that investors should prioritise addressing population-level issues, rather than focusing solely on niche areas.

As people’s lifespans continue to extend, addressing the requirements of an ageing population has become increasingly critical. It is crucial for startups to thoroughly explore this market and develop innovations specifically tailored to the needs of this demographic.

Drawing on the example of Singapore, which has implemented technology to support its elderly population, he suggests investors consider this increasingly important and growing segment when evaluating potential startups for investment.

“To effectively address the complexity national healthcare poses, a systems approach to problem-solving is necessary, where sustainability and equality take precedence over profits,” advocates Prof Lawrence. “Rather than focusing on building more structures, it is important to prioritise addressing issues of affordability and inequality through technology.”

Urban Ideas and Solutions Through LKYGBPC

The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), which began in 2001, is a biennial global university start-up competition hosted in Singapore. Organised by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, focuses on urban ideas and solutions developed by student founders and early-stage start-ups.

Prof Lawrence, who serves as a member of the judging panel, believes assigning mentors to teams based on their area of expertise can offer valuable guidance and support. This is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by the panel to foster, encourage, and sustain the entrepreneurial drive of the LKYGBPC participants.

In his view, when discussing the fundamental contrast between innovation and entrepreneurship, he feels that innovation involves tackling issues with fresh perspectives and novel ways, while entrepreneurship requires both discipline and adaptability in managing growth.

“Many people fail in business because they lack discipline and work independently,” says Prof Lawrence. “Cultivating a larger community of individuals who are adaptable and capable of working as part of a team is critical to entrepreneurship success.”

He considers seeking advice and collaborating with others crucial to surmount obstacles in innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovators should be willing to seek the assistance and counsel of others, particularly those with expertise in areas such as regulation or commercialisation.

People must understand that there are unique challenges at each stage of the process and bringing them to the right people to help solve them is important. Moreover, entrepreneurship demands financial discipline that benefits from the guidance and mentorship of multiple individuals.

Singapore’s drive to remain competitive in the global arena is a case in point. The country, he says, serves as a springboard, connecting people and providing access to other countries. To attract and retain talent and expand into new markets, he recommends leveraging Singapore’s strengths, such as its robust education system and its position as a hub for the Asian ecosystem.

Prof Lawrence co-invented the revolutionary Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER), which has now been incorporated into Endomaster.

He has mentored three startups in the fields of photonics and medical technology to identify potential failures and early warning signs through his own experiences.

Prof Lawrence has served as co-chair for the Gut & Obesity in Asia (Go Asia) Workgroup, which investigates the correlation between obesity and gastrointestinal and liver ailments in Asia.

In summation, he stresses the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, as it enables individuals to learn and prepare for future challenges.

“Those who have never failed or struggled in the trenches may not be able to achieve long-term success,” Prof Lawrence concludes.

EKSKLUSIF! Menjajaki Potensi Teknologi Kesehatan Masa Depan bersama Lawrence Ho Khek-Yu, Konsultan Senior & Profesor National University Hospital, Singapura

Kemajuan teknologi dan sains telah membawa efektivitas dan efisiensi industri kesehatan sehingga bisa menjangkau lebih banyak orang di pelosok wilayah. Kemudahan akses pada layanan perawatan kesehatan ini diharapkan bisa meningkatkan kualitas hidup dan umur warga.

Telemedicine menjadi salah satu perkembangan terbaru di industri ini yang populer imbas pandemi COVID-19. Saat itu, telemedicine berhasil membantu pasien untuk berkonsultasi dengan dokter, melakukan diagnosis, dan pengobatan dari jarak jauh.

Perkembangan kecerdasan buatan (AI) ikut berkontribusi memodernisasi layanan kesehatan. AI berpotensi membantu dokter untuk membuat diagnosis yang lebih cepat dan akurat, memprediksi hasil kesehatan, dan melakukan asistensi rencana perawatan. Layanan berbasis AI seperti chatbots dan asisten virtual, juga bisa dimanfaatkan untuk menjembatani komunikasi layanan kesehatan dengan pasien.

Pengobatan yang efektif, teknik diagnostik yang lebih akurat, dan sistem pemberian obat yang lebih baik diarahkan untuk memperbaiki sistem perawatan, pengobatan, dan prognosis pasien. Selain itu, kemajuan teknologi juga diharapkan bisa mengurangi biaya perawatan kesehatan lantaran operasional yang makin efisien.

Menggali potensi dari celah di teknologi kesehatan

Lawrence Ho Khek-Yu, Konsultan Senior & Profesor National University Hospital, Singapura sepakat kalau COVID-19 memang membantu mempopulerkan telemedicine. Meski demikian, ia merasa layanan ini masih sulit untuk menggantikan layanan konsultasi tatap muka. Menurutnya, telemedicine saat ini memiliki peran penting dalam hal konsultasi, namun masih memiliki sejumlah kelemahan dibanding diagnosis tatap muka.

“Jika Anda menggunakan konsultasi video, Anda hanya dapat melihat tapi Anda tidak dapat memeriksa. Tentu saja pemeriksaan adalah hal yang penting. Semestinya kita bisa memiliki kemampuan yang sama serupa dengan pertemuan tatap muka. Menurut saya, alat pengujian untuk melakukan diagnosa masih kurang pada layanan telemedicine,” jelas Lawrence dalam wawancara dengan CEO & Pemimpin Redaksi OpenGov Asia, Mohit Sagar.

Kedua, layanan telemedicine masih harus mematangkan ekosistem pendukung, salah satunya terkait dengan pengantaran obat. Di Singapura, layanan pengantaran obat bisa dikirim dalam satu minggu. Hal ini tentu akan menghambat proses pengobatan ketimbang langsung datang dan diberi obat ketika melakukan kunjungan tatap muka.

Meski demikian, Lawrence menyebut layanan telemedicine masih dilakukan di masa setelah COVID-19 untuk pasien yang kondisinya sudah cukup stabil di rumah. Sementara sebagian besar pasien sudah kembali melakukan kunjungan tatap muka seperti biasa.

Selain itu, penjelasan yang bisa dilakukan lewat telemedicine menurut Lawrence masih terbatas. Ia merasa kesulitan jika harus melakukan penjelasan dengan tambahan gambar yang dengan mudah dilakukan dalam pertemuan tatap muka secara langsung.

Selain itu, ia pun menaruh perhatian pada kesulitan akses teknologi yang dialami oleh pasien lanjut usia. Telemedicine sulit untuk membaca dan menyampaikan aspek nonverbal dan emosional dari interaksi langsung.

Ia menekankan industri medis perlu mengembangkan dan meningkatkan metode untuk mendiagnosis dan merawat pasien. Ia berharap telemedicine bisa mendukung diagnosis dengan memanfaatkan sejumlah panca indera untuk memeriksa gejala. Dalam pertemuan tatap muka, dokter bisa langsung mengukur detak jantung dengan stetoskop, merasakan dengan sentuhan jari, pendengaran, atau diagnosis sensoris lain untuk mendapat data dari pasien. Kesamaan proses diagnosis seperti inilah yang perlu dikembangkan untuk layanan telemedicine ke depan.

Untuk memperbaiki layanan perawatan medis jarak jauh, semua kekurangan itu perlu ditambal. Tambahan sensor, metaverse dan kecerdasan buatan (AI) dapat dimungkinkan untuk melakukan hal ini dan membantu menganalisa data pasien yang lebih akurat dan komprehensif. Ia optimis kemajuan teknologi bisa mengatasi semua kelemahan itu karena saat ini kita sedang berevolusi untuk meningkatkan layanan telemedicine secara bertahap.

Sebagai seorang investor, menurut Lawrence, inovasi itu menjadi pendorong inovasi yang cukup besar. Namun, agar bisa lebih berdampak, menurutnya baik inovator, akademisi, dan startup mesti benar-benar menyentuh permasalahan di akar rumput. Selama ini, penelitian-penelitian yang dilakukan para edukator kurang peka dengan kebutuhan masyarakat. Mereka melupakan mengapa mereka ada di institusi akademis yang semestinya menelurkan solusi bagi masyarakat. Begitupula dengan para investor. Mereka pun mesti memiliki visi untuk melayani dan menyelesaikan masalah di masyarakat terlebih dulu sebelum menajamkan sasaran ke ceruk pasar yang lebih sempit.

LKYGBPC untuk majukan entrepreneurship

Bagi Lawrence, inovasi berangkat dari inisiatif untuk menyelesaikan masalah dan mengeksekusi ide solusi itu dengan kedisiplinan. Disiplin dalam memperbaiki produk, mengelola konsumen, membangun tim dan organisasi, serta mengelola keuangan. Lawrence menganggap kompetisi bisnis internasional seperti LKYGBPC bisa memberikan kesempatan bagi para pebisnis muda untuk melakukan ekspansi pasar ke negara lain.

Prof Lawrence menjadi investor di tiga startup. Pertama adalah Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER). MASTER kini telah diintegrasikan menjadi Endomaster, startup MedTech yang paling banyak mendapat kucuran dana di Asia pada 2017. Ia pun mendanai startup di bidang fotonik dan bioteknologi yang mengembangkan peringatan dini dibidang kesehatan.

Berdasarkan pengalaman memiliki tiga startup teknologi kesehatan, Lawrance menyarankan agar startup perlu fleksibel dan membuka diri. Mereka mesti bersedia menerima masukan dari konsumen, tim, dan mereka yang lebih ahli. “Saya merasa bahwa beberapa inovator sangat protektif terhadap produk mereka sendiri, mereka pikir ini adalah bayi mereka.”

Sebab, dari berbagai masukan itu, founder dan tim bisa memetakan dengan cepat berbagai tantangan yang mungkin mereka hadapi di sepanjang jalan. Setelah itu, mereka mesti menemukan orang yang tepat untuk memecahkan tantangan tersebut.

Mereka pun harus berjuang untuk mewujudkan apa yang mereka janjikan dari konsep yang diajukan. Menurut Lawrence, beberapa orang lebih jago menuliskan ide mereka di kertas dan Power Point ketimbang terjun langsung ke lapangan.

“Para pejuang kertas dan Power Point sangat sulit untuk berhasil. Anda harus benar-benar melakukannya hingga berdarah-darah, hingga Anda menguasai dan memenangkan pertempuran,” tegasnya.

Tantangan berikutnya untuk startup kesehatan adalah soal regulasi. Startup perlu menemukan ahli untuk membantu merancang uji klinis agar lolos berbagai uji klinis dan regulasi.

Tantangan yang terakhir adalah masalah komersialisasi produk. Bagaimana menghasilkan pendapatan dari produk yang akan dijual.

Singapore University Fosters Tech Talent Collaboration

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and an online delivery company have formed a three-year partnership to provide students with the digital skills they will need in the future. This collaboration, which is part of SUTD and Ecole 42’s collaboration programme, will give SUTD’s 42 Singapore students access to the online delivery firm’s mentorship and internship opportunities, with the goal of providing tech talent with a launchpad to enter the tech industry once they graduate.

This collaboration is part of the online delivery firm’s PowerUp! Tech Academy, which includes programmes and partnerships to expand the tech talent pool and strengthen the tech ecosystem.

With a SG$600,000 contribution to SUTD’s 42 Singapore programme, the company reaffirmed its commitment to the partnership. This is Singapore’s first tuition-free, no-instructor programme. The funds will be allocated over a three-year period, from 2022 to 2024, and will be used to organise skill-development initiatives such as workshops and events.

According to the SUTD provost, Professor Phoon Kok Kwang, as Singapore strives to realise the full potential of its digital economy, they are eager to collaborate with the online delivery company. Their timely support and collaboration with 42 Singapore programmes enable SUTD to provide a transformative digital skills development path for future tech talent.

SUTD’s mission is to equip and continuously shape socially conscious, adaptable, and responsible talent who will have rewarding careers and catalyse positive change in a world that is rapidly changing.

By bringing together students with aspirations and mentors who share the same passion, the company is committed to creating an inclusive tech ecosystem that they believe will help drive and advance digitalisation not only in Singapore but throughout Asia.

Recent research indicates that Singapore’s Internet economy has the potential to increase by 19% and reach USD 22 billion by 2025, with the highest proportion of digital consumers in the region. Therefore, merchants are more likely to expand their use of digital services.

Therefore, this partnership is essential for the development of a robust tech talent pipeline to support the imminent expansion of Singapore’s digital economy. The three-year partnership encompasses the following:

Internship opportunities: The online delivery firm will offer 42 Singaporean students internship opportunities in its tech teams over the course of three years. This will allow aspiring talent to gain professional working experience within a world-class technology team and learn how to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Mentorship programmes: Students will be able to enrol in the online delivery firm’s mentorship programme, which will provide them with direct access to the tech team’s resources and executives. The firm’s one-on-one interactions with senior leaders aim to not only equip them with the necessary digital skills but also to inspire talent.
Employment opportunities: The online delivery firm will give those who finish the programme first consideration for jobs if there are any that match their qualifications. This makes it possible for the firm to grow its community and give the next generation the technical skills that will be valuable in a world that is becoming more digital.
Industry guidance: A Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the online delivery firm will join the Advisory Board of 42 Singapore, offering advice on key industry trends and advocating for other businesses to support the programme. His direction will also ensure that SUTD’s programmes are relevant and valuable to students and the broader tech community.

AI to Identify Outbreaks and New Diseases in Indonesia

There has been extensive usage of AI technology in the service of helping humanity. In the health sector, AI has been used to identify new illnesses and epidemics that have become a concern when they appear in different parts of the world. Therefore, it was decided to develop the necessary tools to assist the country in dealing with any future pandemic in Indonesia at the suggestion of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

Given Indonesia’s limited infrastructure and medical workforce, a well-thought-out plan was crucial for overcoming such an emergency. As a result, the healthcare infrastructure in Indonesia, including hospitals, physicians, health workers, and the government, could be ready for any future pandemic.

Outbreaks can be identified using AI by extracting morphometric information from microscopy images. Anto Satriyo Nugroho, Director of BRIN’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Cybersecurity (PR KAKS), said that AI can greatly aid Indonesian healthcare workers in hot spots, for instance, malaria epidemics. The algorithm could determine whether a person has caught malaria based on whether their blood sample tested positive for the parasite outbreak.

“Artificial intelligence applications can also detect epidemics with high precision. With AI, we can get an accurate forecast 77.14% of the time, with a sensitivity of 84.37% and an F1 accuracy of 80.60%,” he revealed.

To promote such initiatives, the National Research, and Innovation Agency (BRIN) hosted a webinar with the topic “Utilising AI in Health”. A panel discussion with a resource person, the Director of the BRIN Institute’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Cybersecurity (PR KAKS), followed the webinar activity. Prof. Indi Dharmayanti, Head of the BRIN Health Research Organisation, and Alexander Svinin, Russian Trade Attache for Indonesia, shared some opening comments during this webinar.

Experts in artificial intelligence technology include Anto Satriyo Nugroho, Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence at Innopolis University Russia Ramil Kuleev, and researcher from the Astutiati Nurhasanah National Agency for Research on Vaccines and Drugs Research Centre, Ruslan Lukin.

Meanwhile, Russian Trade Attaché Alexander Svinin has voiced his approval of the work being done in Indonesia in artificial intelligence, “When it comes to the use of AI in medicine, we will be extremely receptive to new ideas and findings. This will open the door for cooperation among many groups.”

Professor and Head of the Russian University of Innopolis’s Institute of AI According to Ramil Kuleev, artificial intelligence has been used in various spheres of Russian society, most notably the medical field, where it has been used to diagnose illnesses based on radiological examinations.

Indonesian organisations like the Metaverse Research & Experience Centre (MREC) and the Indonesia Metaverse Collaboration supports the metaverse effort alongside AI development. Denny Setiawan, Director of resource management for the Ministry of Communication and Information’s Directorate General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology, said this would be a crucial step in hastening the country’s digital transition.

The mission of the Metaverse Research and Education Consortium (MREC), a public-private partnership, is to foster these very activities inside the realm of the technological metaverse. The Metaverse Research and Experience Centre (MREC) may be in the middle of the action on the Telkom University Campus. The building will serve as a hub for metaverse technology-related R&D, engagement with industry, and capability development.

Academics, researchers, connectivity service providers, industry partnerships, and policymakers can all work together and build connections with the help of MREC’s resources. Launching MREC is a big deal for Indonesia’s digital economy since it shows the country is serious about capitalising on the rising international interest in metaverse technology.

PolyU and Industry Partner to Integrate Scientific Research and Innovative Industries

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has formed a strategic partnership with a venture capital investment company to promote the integration of the university’s scientific research with innovative industries. The collaboration’s main objective is to support PolyU research teams and start-ups with high potential, while also advancing the practical application of scientific research and the commercialisation of technology. The partnership is expected to contribute to the innovation and technology (I&T) development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was witnessed by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; the President of PolyU; and the Founding Partner of a global private equity firm. The Executive Vice President of PolyU and a partner at the global private equity firm signed the MoU.

During the same event, the Innovation & Investment Connect Panel Session was conducted. It gathered industry leaders and I&T stakeholders to participate in a stimulating panel discussion titled “How to facilitate research commercialisation from policymaker and investor perspectives.”

The panellists deliberated on the opportunities and challenges associated with the commercialisation of scientific research. Furthermore, two parallel thematic sessions were organised, where PolyU scholars and representatives from six investees at the venture capital investment company engaged in roundtable discussions on biomedical and sustainable innovation. The discussions highlighted the opportunities in the biomedical innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong, as well as the development trends in clean energy technologies and related industries.

According to the Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2021, Innovation plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth and development. It encompasses not only research and development (R&D) but also product and business process innovation, which are vital in enhancing competitiveness and business performance.

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) has been gathering various statistical indicators to measure the progress of innovation activities in Hong Kong. Among these indicators, the most significant ones are related to R&D activities.

Hong Kong’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) in 2021, which includes total spending on in-house R&D activities performed locally in the business, higher education, and government sectors (including public technology support organisations), amounted to HK$27,827 million. This represents a 5% increase compared to 2020. During the same period, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 7%. The GERD to GDP ratio slightly decreased from 0.99% in 2020 to 0.97% in 2021.

In recent years, the total spending on in-house R&D activities in the higher education sector has been consistently increasing. In 2021, the total expenditure on such activities in the higher education sector amounted to HK$14,735 million, representing a 4% increase compared to 2020.

On the other hand, the total expenditure on in-house R&D activities in the government sector, which mainly includes public technology support organisations, was HK$1,392 million in 2021, showing a 1% increase when compared with 2020.

The majority of in-house R&D activities in the business sector were focused on information technology and engineering technology. Specifically, computer software technology, information system and technology, and electrical and electronics engineering technology areas accounted for 21%, 17%, and 16% of the total expenditure on in-house R&D activities in the business sector, respectively.

Rather than being a significant performer of R&D activities, the government primarily serves a facilitative role in driving the economy’s technology and innovation advancement. This is achieved through the provision of funding support and technological infrastructure.

In 2021, the government sector, which primarily includes public technology support organisations, spent a total of HK$1,392 million on R&D activities. This amount represents a 1% increase compared to 2020. Additionally, the ratio of this expenditure to GDP remained the same at 0.05% in 2021.

Vietnam Aims for Total IPv6 Adoption by 2025

The government held a conference to review the first phase of the programme on the transition to Internet Protocol version 6 for state agencies (IPv6 for Gov) and discuss the implementation of the second phase of the plan.

The initial stage of the IPv6 for Gov initiative carried out between 2021 and 2022, centred around state agencies. During this period, approximately fifty per cent of the involved ministries, agencies, and localities planned transitional strategies to shift towards IPv6 for their portals. All of them are expected to roll out the plans in the second phase in 2022-2025.

In Vietnam, the IPv6 transition in networks, services, applications, and software will ensure there are Internet resources capacity and security requirements to support digital transformation and the development of e-government and smart city services. IPv6 is expected to meet Vietnam’s demand to offer new and quality services such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 4G-LTE, and 5G networks, contributing to digital transformation and digital government building.

To guarantee the effective execution of the program, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has collaborated closely with pertinent ministries, sectors, and localities. According to statistics from the Vietnam Internet Network Information Centre (VNNIC), as of December 2022, Vietnam’s IPv6 usage reached 53%, ranking 10^th globally with more than 65 million Internet subscribers using IPv6 services. According to an official, the IPv6 for Gov programme has exceeded its set goals in the first phase as 94% of ministries, sectors and localities have issued IPv6 transition plans.

So far, as many as 78% of stakeholders have successfully converted to IPv6 for their portals and public services. More than 1,300 staff and experts have been trained on IPv6, 2.6 times higher than the training target for five years.

This year, the country’s IPv6 usage rate is expected to reach 60-70%. In the second phase of 2023 – 2025, VNNIC set a goal to convert the national Internet network into IPv6. By 2025, it wants 100% of Internet subscribers to use the IPv6 service, and all IDC, cloud, and hosting businesses to provide services on IPv6 platforms.

Pham Duc Long, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, has urged stakeholders to hasten the transition to IPv6. VNNIC was tasked with boosting communication and training initiatives and providing support and oversight during the transition phase.

The country’s quality of Internet service has also improved following directives issued by MIC. Globally, Vietnam ranks 39th in terms of fixed Internet. As OpenGov Asia reported, the average broadband download speed in Vietnam in February was 89,73 Mpps, up 4.6% over January. Among the centrally run cities, Ho Chi Minh City had the highest fixed broadband download speed (96.55Mbps). The average fixed broadband upload speed of the whole country was 88.71 Mbps (up 4.7%).

The figures from both domestic and international sources indicated that there has been a significant improvement in Vietnam’s fixed Internet speed in February, a considerable achievement considering the several incidents surrounding the submarine fibre optic cables since late 2022. As a solution, MIC has directed telecom carriers to promptly apply measures to fix the problems to ensure smooth international Internet connection. Under the instructions of the Authority of Telecommunications (AOT), mobile network operators have negotiated to buy more mainland optical fibre capacity and share capacity with each other to overcome the crisis.

RMIT Co-Launches New Earth Observation Hotspot Product

The BRIGHT/AHI algorithm, funded as part of the Australian federal government’s Smartsat CRC Bushfire initiative, was developed by a team of researchers from the former Natural Hazards CRC and Natural Hazards Research Australia.

It uses images from the Himawari-8 satellite of the Japanese Meteorological Agency to provide automated, near-continuous, and near-real-time surveillance of potential fire activity across Australia. Previously, polar-orbiting earth observation satellites could only provide one or two images per day, limiting the detection of potential hotspots. However, with the addition of geostationary satellites, new opportunities have emerged for persistent continental monitoring of fires, improving the ability to observe fire in the landscape from space.

Fire detection algorithms typically identify hotspots by comparing the temperature of a candidate pixel to a reference value. Traditional fire detection methods compare the candidate pixel to its surrounding pixels, using fixed threshold values to trigger a detection.

However, this technique can be problematic, especially when fires occur in complex landscapes or when cloud and/or smoke obscures or partially obscures pixel values. In a country as large and diverse in fire regimes as Australia, these challenges are further compounded.

The BRIGHT/AHI algorithm adopts a novel approach to detect fire activity from earth observation data. By leveraging the AHI Himawari-8 geostationary imager that captures images of Australia every ten minutes, day and night, the algorithm calculates bioregion-specific control values and associated thresholds based on a pixel’s temperature history. This history covers a 30-day period, and the values are optimised to minimise errors of omission in near-real-time. Upon receiving the satellite imagery, the algorithm processes the entire continent of Australia in less than 45 seconds, providing timely and accurate bushfire information. The algorithm’s detections have been compared to those of existing polar-orbiting, satellite-based fire detection products (Chatzopoulos-Vouzoglanis et al., 2022).

The release of the new BRIGHT/AHI hotspot product to Australian fire management agencies and the public is timely, given that two polar-orbiting fire detection products, namely the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), are approaching the end of their operational lifecycles.

The MODIS instruments were launched in 1999 (Terra satellite) and 2002 (Aqua satellite), and both have exceeded their designed operational lifetimes of six years. While the Suomi NPP VIIRS maintains the continuity of earth observations, this was recently compromised when the satellite went into safe mode in July 2022 and only recently came back online.

The BRIGHT/AHI algorithm, together with geostationary satellites, represents a new generation of near-real-time earth observation products that are revolutionising our ability to understand fire activity, regimes, impacts, and recovery in a systematic and replicable way for Australia.

Recent developments and testing have led to the inclusion of Fire Radiative Power (FRP) estimate alongside hotspots, with associated products of fire severity and combustion completeness being developed by the RMIT team. However, the challenge of persistent surveillance and tracking of wildfires across Australia is complex and requires a suite of technologies and techniques.

While no single technology or solution can provide us with robust answers to every question, BRIGHT/AHI contributes significantly to this ongoing challenge through the provision of hotspots for Australia via the Geoscience Australia Digital Earth Australia Hotspots website.

The Australian federal government’s Smartsat CRC now funds this research via its Real-time Fire Analytics research programme.

The aim of this project is to develop a comprehensive satellite system that combines geostationary, polar-orbiting, and aerial-based sensors to enable real-time attribution of fires across landscapes. The project will design and implement a data and platform ecosystem that allows for the autonomous detection, processing, and delivery of real-time fire information to end users.

The project comprises two key elements:

The design and implementation of a data and platform ecosystem that can enable real-time fire surveillance using geostationary, polar-orbiting, and aerial sensors. This “system of systems” approach will ensure that the best available information is always provided.
The project aims to develop autonomous AI algorithms for real-time fire surveillance and attribution, such as burn severity and FRP.

March 29, 2023

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