Image: The Straits Times

Singapore has unveiled an updated national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, aiming to position itself as a global AI leader.

This revised strategy, termed the National AI Strategy 2.0 (Nais 2.0), includes an ambitious set of 15 action plans spanning the next three to five years.

The focus areas encompass AI-specific training programs, a dedicated AI space, and a carbon budget for data centres.

Which Key Sectors will be Scaled up in AI?

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, speaking at the Singapore Conference on Artificial Intelligence, highlighted the goal of scaling up AI in key sectors such as manufacturing, finance, healthcare, education, and public services.

Nais 2.0, developed through extensive consultations with over 300 experts and organisations, both local and international, is an expansion of Singapore's initial AI strategy launched in 2019.

The strategy is structured around three pillars: industry, government and public research; people and communities, focusing on talent development; and infrastructure and environment, to foster a conducive ecosystem for AI innovation.

Simon Chesterman, senior director at AI Singapore, praised the comprehensive approach of Nais 2.0, emphasising its potential to distribute AI benefits equitably across Singapore and beyond.

The strategy envisions Singapore as a hub for AI ideas and innovation, connecting local capabilities with global networks.

Singapore Airlines, for instance, has already integrated AI into its operations, with George Wang, senior vice-president of IT, highlighting the airline's use of AI for real-time customer feedback analysis and staff training.

Singapore's National AI Strategy 2.0 (Nais 2.0) outlines a detailed roadmap with 15 targeted initiatives to foster a robust AI ecosystem:

Industry Initiatives

1. AI Centres of Excellence: Cultivate value-creation through AI, identifying sector-specific centres of excellence in collaboration with industry leaders.

2. AI Startup Ecosystem: Bolster the ecosystem by attracting venture builders and enhancing accelerator programs.

Government Focus

3. Public Service Productivity: Formulate AI strategies to resolve challenges and boost efficiency in government services.

Research and Development

4. National AI Research Plans: Prioritise selective AI research, encourage academia-industry ties, hire top AI researchers, operate GPUs for research, and strengthen international research collaboration.

Talent Development

5. Global AI Talent Attraction: Create a team to integrate world-class AI talent into Singapore's ecosystem with innovative working arrangements.

6. Expand AI Talent Pool: Grow the AI talent base from 4,500 to 15,000, restructure the AI Apprenticeship Programme, and maintain openness to international talent.

Enterprise Capabilities

7. Enterprise AI Adoption: Enhance digitalisation tools and provide customised support for AI-driven business transformations.

8. AI Training for Workforce: Implement AI training targeted at specific industry needs.

Placemaking

9. Dedicated AI Space: Create a collaborative physical space for AI development, in consultation with AI ecosystem players.

Computing Resources

10. Boost Compute Capacity: Strengthen partnerships with chipmakers, ensure adequate power for data centres, and manage a subset of Singapore-based GPUs.

Data Utilisation

11. Capabilities in Privacy Tech: Support the development of privacy-enhancing technologies and data services.

12. Government Data Accessibility: Explore a government data concierge service and advocate for secure cross-border data sharing.

Regulatory Environment

13. Regulatory Framework Update: Revise AI governance frameworks to mitigate new risks, set common platforms for regulatory coordination, and engage in international AI dialogues.

Security and Resilience

14. Baseline Security Enhancement: Update cybersecurity measures and promote best practices sharing.

International Collaboration

15. Global AI Partnership: Position Singapore as a reliable and skilled partner in AI innovation and governance, fostering international relationships and sharing Singapore’s AI journey.

This strategy marks a significant step towards making Singapore a key player in AI innovation and governance on the global stage.