How Singapore can ride the AI wave into the future: Opinion

When Singapore gained independence in 1965, it quickly embarked on a rigorous industrialisation programme to boost economic development. In 10 years, manufacturing’s share in Singapore’s gross domestic product rose from 14 per cent to 22 per cent.

People who grew up in kampungs and could not afford school textbooks were now working steady corporate jobs, bringing unprecedented resources home to the family. We had built a substantial industrial base, and Singaporeans rode the wave.

One of the smallest countries in the world has carved a reputation for itself as Asia’s key economic and financial centre.

Singapore has come far, but it does not stop here. By embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the country will enter a new age of smarter industries – from kampung to corporate, from conventional corporate to the AI revolution. These are the three starting steps as Singapore moves into Industry 4.0.

Build a strong ecosystem of tech partnerships with the private sector

Just as how the government played a crucial role in catalysing private-sector growth in the 1960s and 1970s, so must the public and private sector join in tandem now to work through fresh regulations, build unfamiliar networks and form new models of partnerships that might not have existed before.

For instance, IBM, Samsung Electronics and M1 worked together to form the IBM Industry 4.0 Studio, which combines advanced 5G connectivity with AI, hybrid cloud and edge computing capabilities, to develop and test Industry 4.0 solutions locally and regionally.

This initiative is supported by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority, as part of the Republic’s 5G journey to test applications that can be deployed in the manufacturing sector, while measuring and optimising the performance of enterprise 5G for industrial use.

Continued synergy between sectors will create a fertile environment for growth. Research institutions such as the National University of Singapore and A*Star are also developing real-world AI applications, from smart robotics in precision engineering to AI-powered healthcare diagnostics, strengthening Singapore’s innovation ecosystem.

Deploy AI and automation in surprising corners

AI and automation will be implemented across the corporate and tech worlds, but to optimise these tools, Singapore must continue its momentum in new areas.

In post-fire investigations, the Singapore Civil Defence Force has started using smart glasses, AI and augmented reality technologies, so that commanders on the ground have live access to fire investigation specialists through real-time augmented annotations video interactions.

And at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, AI-powered robots roam the park, sending food to birds, conducting safety patrols and interacting with visitors. These concierge robots can physically lead visitors around the park, give directions, recommend activities and alert park-goers to changes in weather.

These projects are examples of different sectors coming together to form tech partnerships. To truly optimise AI and automation, Singapore must be willing to take calculated risks, deploying them in innovative – even fun – ways. The broader our use of AI and automation, the more insights we gain into optimising these tools.

Avoid technological lag

Singapore has the potential to become Asia’s most technologically advanced city, but that progress will be hollow if its people are left behind.

Technological lag happens when tech evolves rapidly and social institutions, such as education systems and government policies, fail to keep up. When tech outpaces institutional adaptation, a country faces issues such as job displacement, growing wealth disparity and social unrest.

This happened during the industrial revolution, but we can learn from those mistakes.

Programmes such as SkillsFuture Level-Up and the Jobseeker Support Scheme must continue to be developed, so that the society can advance along with tech. Education systems must prioritise digital literacy, critical thinking and adaptability.

Labour laws and policies must protect workers from sudden job displacement. Private companies, such as IBM with its SkillsBuild programme, must also do their part to equip the next generation with the essential tech and AI skills.

It is also imperative that underserved communities be cared for, so they do not fall between the cracks. This is not an effort solely for governments. While collaborations between tech organisations and educational institutions are already in place, they must become something routine – built into the foundations of regular curriculum – to match the rapid pace of technology .

Build an equitable future with AI

The fact of the matter is that today’s world is entirely different from the early days of Singapore’s independence. The industrial revolution was a wave that swept across most of the world – and now, AI and automation will likely do the same, reshaping industries, economies and the very nature of work.

These are just a few important considerations. It will take a mammoth, collaborative effort from sectors across the board to build an AI-driven future that truly acts as a rising tide, lifting all boats rather than leaving some stranded. Governments, businesses and researchers must work together, to ensure that progress benefits society as a whole.

Just as visionary leadership transformed Singapore from a fishing village into a global hub, today’s leaders and experts must now steer us into the new era, embedding ethics and equity into the make-up of every policy, debate and strategy.

Singapore has the potential to lead not just in innovation, but in trust – shaping a model on how governments and organisations can build a safe, trustworthy foundation from which we can rise to new heights.

The writer is general manager and technology leader at IBM Singapore

Source: The Business Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

ADV: <Newly Published> Insurance Law in Singapore (3rd Edition) Why no further action was taken in 2016 Mindef sexual assault case