The government of Singapore has released an Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework to help businesses in the Republic, along with other partners, that will grapple with issues surrounding the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence.
The AI ethical framework was announced by Mr. Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. It documents how AI can be responsibly and ethically used.
The model framework is founded on two high-level principles: AI implementations should be human-centric, and decisions made or assisted by AI should be explainable, transparent and fair to consumers.
Dubbed as a “living document,” the framework was put together using feedback from leading industry experts. This in turn enhances trust in and understanding of AI, as well as acceptance of how AI-related decisions are made for the benefit of users.
The framework is the first of its kind in Asia to provide a highly detailed and easy-to-follow guidance for AI-using organizations in the private sector, according to Infocomm Communications Development Agency (IMDA).
Answering the question if AI governance model prevents companies on their businesses in Singapore, Mr. Iswaran emphasized that it is not a set of rules but a framework for companies to use.
“On the contrary, we might even be able to come out as one of the jurisdictions with sound approaches to data management and the governance of AI and other frontier technologies. In this case, more companies would want to be associated with us.”
Explaining why choosing the World Economic Forum as a stage to release the Artificial Intelligence framework, Mr. Iswaran said WEF is a large forum for government leaders and global industries. By selecting the WEF stage, Singapore can invite global feedback to further improve the AI ethical framework.
Although there are concerns about the risk of AI being developed for the wrong purpose, no one can deny the advantages it offers, even nationally. Therefore, every country needs to abide by the moral and legal rules when developing in this area, and the world also requires international policies, conventions, and regulations to ensure unity and global consensus in developing AI. Calling leaders of nations to build a treaty on the exploitation and development of AI for peace is what the Michael Dukakis Institute (MDI) is actively implementing through Layer 5 of the 7-layer AIWS Model.
