Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore has revealed the country’s new AI policy, claiming that AI is no longer a luxury but a need for everybody. The new policy, called National AI Strategy 2.0: AI for the Public Good in Singapore and the World, intends to put Singapore at the forefront of the global AI race.
Wong underlined the shifting nature of knowledge-based labour, highlighting recent advances in generative AI, such as ChatGPT, which provides humans with near-human intelligence. Recognising AI’s revolutionary potential, he emphasised the importance of a methodical PO to reaping its advantages while limiting threats such as job displacement, deepfakes, cyberattacks, and disinformation.
Beyond sector-specific applications, the new approach focuses on talent development, nurturing a strong AI industry, and sustaining cutting-edge infrastructure. Wong stated that the government will spend heavily in adult education in order to treble the number of AI practitioners in Singapore to 15,000, catering to both local talent and international specialists.
Concerned about job displacement, Wong guaranteed large expenditures in training, pushing AI-related organisations to contribute to the development of a vibrant sector. The plan promotes the development of new AI models for broader applications, particularly in crucial industries such as advanced manufacturing, financial services, and biomedical research.
Researchers will focus on improving AI’s comprehension of logical and physical ideas, as well as ensuring transparency and responsible actions. Singapore intends to back up these objectives with adequate processing capacity, so establishing a trustworthy environment for AI.
“We will not be able to compete with the major powers in assembling raw computing power, but we will do everything we can to ensure that we have the computing power to meet our growing research and industry demands, and to fully back our strategic AI agenda,” he said in a statement to The Straits Times.
