Singapore and Rwanda develop first Small State AI playbook

The world’s first AI Playbook for Small States, purportedly created by Singapore and Rwanda, aims to promote an inclusive global dialogue on the promise of AI. The Playbook, which was unveiled by Singapore’s Minister of Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, on September 22, 2024, in New York during the UN Summit of the Future (SOTF) Action Day, is a collection of best practices from members of Digital FOSS on putting AI strategies and policies into effect.

The Playbook was created by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in association with Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation. It was first unveiled at the Asia Tech x Singapore Summit in May 2024. Consultations with members of Digital FOSS have focused on common issues such scarce resources, data accessibility, AI skills, and also governance policies since the beginning of the year.

The Playbook showcases perspectives from little governments across the globe. Emphasizing their methods for embracing AI, managing it, and thus analyzing its effects on society. It is intended to be a dynamic text that will change over time to also reflect new tactics and experiences.

The playbook currently has four chapters:

• Laying key building blocks

• Driving AI development and use

• Fostering a trusted environment

• Forging global partnerships and cooperation

Beyond its financial worth, artificial intelligence has the power to improve society and support each of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Playbook seeks to unite small governments and stakeholders. In order to facilitate inclusive discourse on the potentially revolutionary potential of AI.

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Minister Teo stated, “I think AI being a general-purpose technology, we all want to benefit from its transformative potential,” during a panel discussion at the SOTF meeting.

The importance of the private sector’s contribution to capacity building was emphasized by Minister Josephine Teo, especially for tiny states. She raised questions about whether tiny governments would fall behind in the AI landscape. Also pointing out that while there are many potential, there are also threats.

She conveyed gratitude for the inclusive advisory board that the UN has set up. Saying it encouraged Singapore to actively participate in the process. Singapore’s Chief AI Officer participated in this endeavor. The Forum of Small States extended an invitation to the high-level advisory board to convene in Singapore.

“Now, the result of a process like this is that we now have the ability to adopt the principles articulated in the GDC, to help ourselves as nations. And equally importantly, help each other as Small States.

“And in that regard, I am very pleased to note that this process created an opportunity for Singapore and another country that we admire greatly, which is Rwanda, to say: ‘How about the both of us come together to create an AI Playbook for Small States?’ So that is something that we have done, and I hope that this will help all of us.”