Artificial Intelligence in Singapore

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the study and use of intelligent machine learning to mimic human action and thought. With the availability of Big Data, advances in computing, and the invention of new algorithms, AI has emerged as a disruptive technology in recent years. Singapore is at the forefront of leveraging AI and machine learning to drive innovation and growth in a range of industries.

Whether it’s improving healthcare outcomes or enhancing banking access for seniors, AI is already transforming how Singapore lives, works, and connects. Across sectors, businesses and institutions are adopting AI to spark innovation, boost efficiency, and elevate experiences.

To ensure safe and responsible use of AI, Singapore has led the way with global AI governance efforts through numerous products and initiatives.

IMDA developed AI Verify, a AI governance testing framework and software toolkit. The framework outlines 11 governance principles and aligns with international AI standards from the EU, US, and OECD. AI Verify helps organisations validate AI performance through standardised tests across principles such as transparency, explainability, reproducibility, safety, security, robustness, fairness, data governance, accountability, human agency, inclusive growth, and societal and environmental well-being.

AI Verify was developed in consultation with companies of different sizes and sectors — including AWS, DBS, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Singapore Airlines, NCS/LTA, Standard Chartered, UCARE.AI, and X0PA. It was released for international pilot in May 2022 and open-sourced in 2023, with more than 50 companies including Dell, Hitachi, and IBM participating.

With the rise of Generative AI (GenAI), the AI Verify testing framework has been enhanced to address its unique risks. It now supports testing for both Traditional and GenAI use cases.

The SMEs Go Digital programme aims to help SMEs use digital technologies and build stronger digital capabilities to seize growth opportunities in the digital economy. Through CTO-as-a-Service - a one-stop platform that helps SMEs go digital anytime, anywhere – SMEs can easily access a suite of AI and GenAI tools and resources, including:

• Pre-approved GenAI solutions with up to 50% grant support
• GenAI Navigator to help SMEs find the right GenAI solution for their needs
• Complimentary AI events and services from Digital Enterprise Blueprint partners
• GenAI for SME resource page to help SMEs get started on GenAI
• Inspiring success stories of SMEs that have embraced AI and GenAI
• Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) offering sector-specific guides on using AI and GenAI

IMDA also develops foundational tools to accelerate AI adoption across enterprises, such as the National Speech Corpus which is a large-scale Singapore English corpus of open speech data.

IMDA’s Assistant Chief Executive Terence Chia joins McKinsey Singapore partner Sanjna Parasrampuria and digital strategy expert Kathryn Kuhn to explore how generative AI is reshaping work, globally and in Singapore.

The discussion dives into critical questions: How will GenAI impact jobs? What new risks and responsibilities will emerge? And how can companies build a workforce ready to harness AI’s potential?

ACE Terence and Kathryn focused on generative AI’s potential to unlock innovation and shared solutions to key challenges — such as expanding beyond tech talent to roles like AI risk and compliance officers, and starting AI training at school level to build a skilled pipeline through to the C-suite.

He also shared how Singapore is already tackling many of these hurdles through programmes such as IMDA’s TechSkills Accelerator, and its plan to continue to do so. The conversation led to the conclusion that collaboration is vital to ensure that leadership and talent are future-ready, and that companies look to capture the significant value, rather than be distracted by the power of generative AI.