|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The global spotlight on artificial intelligence (AI) has been intense, fueled by its human-like capabilities, encompassing tasks like answering complex questions and creating captivating music, images, and films.
However, Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister of Communications and Information, cautions about the potential misuse of AI-generated content for disinformation and fraudulent activities, as well as the impact of biased AI models on specific groups due to discriminatory traits in the training datasets.
Several nations, notably Singapore, are proactively addressing these issues as they realise how urgent AI Governance is. Singapore unveiled the Model AI Governance Framework in 2019 and then created a foundation to direct the creation of AI Verify. This software toolkit and testing framework, which are now open-sourced, are intended to increase openness in AI applications.
The Minister stressed the importance of ensuring the proper production of AI models, emphasising the need for access to high-quality data for effective AI deployment and enabling businesses to leverage AI breakthroughs for the digital economy’s growth.
At the same time, it is crucial to safeguard customer data to promote confidence in technological advancements and the expanded application of data for AI and other advances. It’s crucial to strike a balance between data security and creativity. This idea serves as the foundation for Singapore’s approach to data legislation, creating the framework for a reliable ecosystem for AI development and use.
The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) is preparing to release Advisory Guidelines to improve clarity around the use of personal data for training or building AI models. These rules will provide firms more freedom to ask customers for their permission before using their personal information to make suggestions, judgements, or forecasts using AI. Additionally, the PDPC is looking at additional advice under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in light of the growing concerns regarding the use of personal data in generative AI.
PETs (Privacy Enhancing Technologies) offer businesses a useful way to profit from consumer datasets while safeguarding personal information. Through the PET Sandbox project, IMDA actively promotes industry adoption of PETs while encouraging collaboration with multiple sectors. The “PET x Privacy Sandbox” was established by IMDA in collaboration with a giant tech company to give businesses a secure environment in which to test out PET initiatives while also protecting consumers.
In addition, facilitating cross-border data sharing among ASEAN nations is another measure to enhance data availability. While guaranteeing proper security of sensitive information, policies governing cross-border data transfers must be transparent. According to Singapore, specific rules on acceptable cross-border data flows are preferable to general data localise regulations, and ASEAN has been trying to create reliable and useful data transfer methods.
Notably, the ASEAN Framework on Digital Data Governance and the Model Contractual Clauses (MCCs) have been crucial in facilitating cross-border data flows within the region and between ASEAN and the EU. Similarities between the EU Standard Contractual Clauses and the ASEAN MCCs facilitate understanding and speed up contract talks for data transfers.
Minister Josephine further added that Singapore will continue to be dedicated to working with ASEAN and EU partners to create and improve data transfer channels during their future chairmanship of the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN). Hence, the ASEAN nations can unleash the full potential of AI for regional innovation and sustainable prosperity by advancing AI Governance and securing access to high-quality data.
