SINGAPORE (Nov 20): Although Singapore has invested over $500 million to further AI research innovation and enterprise, the city-state seems to have no intention of slowing down in its quest to become a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI).
Singapore has set its sights on establishing itself as a global hub for developing, test-bedding, deploying and scaling AI solutions as part of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, according to Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, who is also the minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative.
Speaking at the opening session of the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday, Balakrishnan highlighted that Singapore’s AI strategy constitutes a plan to enable the city-state to seize the new opportunities brought about by AI, and create value for its citizens and the rest of the world.
“We believe that AI is a transformative technology. The fact that computers and systems can now see, hear, understand, and speak, is transformational. It will transform our economy and societies, and disrupt our politics. It will alter the nature of jobs, and the skills our people will need,” says Balakrishnan.
“Consequently, we have decided that AI will define the next phase of our Smart Nation journey,” he adds.
In his speech, Balakrishnan emphasised how Singapore’s small size requires the country to focus, and play to its strengths – namely its efficient government, strong digital foundations and digital literacy, as well as first-world digital infrastructure.
“These factors put us in an excellent position to be a living laboratory for digital technologies and AI of the future,” shares Balakrishnan.
Balakrishnan also identified five National AI Projects in sectors that already possessed a “historical competitive advantage”. These sectors include transport and logistics, smart cities and estates, healthcare, education and safety and security.
Terming this a “no regrets move”, he added that the deployment of AI in these sectors would enhance the state’s competitiveness, generate economic returns and new jobs, as well as upgrade the skills and capabilities of the people.
Acknowledging that small city-states such as Singapore are unable to do this alone, Balakrishnan cited the need for cooperation among countries to network and exchange ideas.
“Creating platforms where we can learn from one another, in which governments, private sector and academia can come together to create a Triple Helix partnership is the way for the future,” says Balakrishnan.
In that light, Singapore will also tap into international partnerships in areas such as data sharing and digital identity cross recognition, in order to better facilitate cross border AI collaboration to solve common challenges.
Singapore has established a National AI Office which seeks to drive national AI agenda and catalyse efforts across research, industry and government stakeholders to work on identified areas of priority.
“AI will change the world, and cities that master AI will get ahead. If you do not, you are at risk of being left behind,” advocates Balakrishnan.
“Because we are small, we will focus on relevant areas where we already have a competitive advantage, and approach it with good governance, to instil confidence in the system and outcomes,” he adds.
