- Despite repeated calls for government intervention to address the risks, Singapore is in no rush to enact AI regulations.
- “We are not looking to regulate AI at this time,” Lee Wang Shi, Director of Trustworthy AI and Data at the Information and Communications Media Development Authority of Singapore, told CNBC.
- The Singapore government is committed to promoting the responsible use of AI.
- It is calling on companies to collaborate on the world’s first AI testing toolkit called AI Verify.
Marina Bay waterfront in Singapore.
Nikki Lo | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Singapore is taking a more wait-and-see approach as governments consider whether artificial intelligence poses risks and dangers and whether regulation is necessary.
“We are not thinking about regulating AI at this time,” Lee Wang Shi, Director of Trustworthy AI and Data at the Information and Communications Media Development Authority of Singapore, told CNBC. IMDA promotes and regulates the telecommunications and media sector in Singapore.
The Singapore government is committed to promoting the responsible use of AI.
It invites companies to collaborate on AI Verify, the world’s first AI testing toolkit that allows users to conduct technical tests of AI models and record process checks.
We intend to learn how AI is being used before deciding whether further regulatory action is required.
Lee Wanshi
Director of Trustworthy AI and Data, IMDA
AI Verify launched as a pilot project in 2022. Tech giants IBM and Singapore Airlines have already begun pilot testing as part of the program.
AI buzz has accelerated in recent months after chatbot ChatGPT’s ability to generate human-like responses to user prompts became a hot topic. The number of users reached his 100 million in just two months of service launch.
But globally, there are repeated calls for government intervention to address the potential risks of AI.
Tech leaders such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have warned about the dangers of technology.
“At this stage, it is clear that we want to learn from the industry. We will learn how AI is being used before deciding whether further regulatory action is needed.” Lee said, adding on regulation. It may be introduced at a later stage.
“We recognize that as a small country and as a government we do not have all the answers to this question, so it is very important that we work closely with industry, research institutes and other governments. ‘, said Lee.
Haniya Mahmudian, an AI ethicist at DataRobot and an advisory member of the US National AI Advisory Board, said it would “really benefit” both businesses and policy makers.
“The industry is more hands-on when it comes to AI. When it comes to regulation, we sometimes see a gap between what policymakers think about AI and what is actually happening in business,” Mahmoudian said. said.
“So creating this kind of collaboration, especially this kind of toolkit, can get input from the industry. It really benefits both sides,” she added.
Google, Microsoft, and IBM are among the major technology companies already participating in the AI Verify Foundation. The AI Verify Foundation is a global open source community founded to discuss AI standards and best practices and collaborate on AI stewardship.
“We at Microsoft applaud the Singapore government’s leadership in this area,” Microsoft President and Vice Chairman Brad Smith said in a press release.
“Singapore is helping organizations build robust governance and testing processes by creating practical resources like AI Governance Testing Frameworks and Toolkits,” said Smith.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his ministers have expressed the need for AI regulation. “I think regulation is necessary and all players, including American players, agree with it,” Macron told CNBC last week.
China has already drafted rules aimed at governing how companies develop generative AI products like ChatGPT.
Stella Kramer, Asia-Pacific head of the technology group at international law firm Clifford Chance, said Singapore could act as a “manager” for the region, allowing innovation in a safe environment. Stated.
Clifford Chance works with regulators on guidelines and frameworks across markets.
Singapore has indeed positioned itself in an almost custodial position in the area of responsible and trustworthy use of AI.
Stella Kramer
APAC Head of Technology Group at International Law Firm Clifford Chance
“It is precisely this consistent approach that we see when it comes to openness and collaboration. Singapore is a safe place to test and deploy technology in a controlled environment with the support of regulators. It’s considered a jurisdiction,” Kramer said. .
The city-state has launched several pilot projects, such as the FinTech Regulatory Sandbox and Healthtech Sandbox, to help industry players test their products in real-world environments before they hit the market.
“These structured frameworks and testing toolkits will guide AI governance policies to drive safe and trustworthy AI for the enterprise,” said Cramer.
“AI Verify could potentially help demonstrate compliance with specific requirements,” said Lee of IMDA. “Ultimately, if I, as a regulator, want to enforce [regulation], you must know how to do it. “
