Singapore to launch advisory council on ethical use of AI and Data

The council is composed of representatives from technological companies, users of AI, and providers of consumers’ and societal perspectives.

Singapore established its Advisory Council on the Ethical Use of AI and Data, Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran said. 

Former attorney-general V.K. Rajah SC will be the inaugural chairman of the council, which is composed of representatives from technological companies, users of AI, and providers of consumers’ and societal perspectives.

“The Advisory Council will work closely with key stakeholder groups to lead discussions and provide guidance to the Government on the responsible development and deployment of AI,” Iswaran revealed.

According to Iswaran, the Council will work in order to engage stakeholders such as ethics boards of commercial enterprises on ethical and related issues arising from private sector use of AI and data, as well as consumer advocates on consumer expectations of such use.

Additionally, Iswaran noted that the council will also involve the private capital community to increase awareness of the need to incorporate ethics considerations in their decisions to invest in businesses which develop or adopt AI

To support the council works, Iswaran announced the establishment of a five-year Research Programme on the Governance of AI and Data Use. The programme is awarded to the Singapore Management University (SMU).

“SMU will be organising engagement forums with stakeholders to generate and share knowledge, and to bring greater clarity to policy and regulatory issues and their impact,” Iswaran said.

SMU will also take the lead to publish research papers to contribute to the wider international AI and data research communities.

Meanwhile, the Personal Data Protect Act is also under review on how the framework can further be enhanced for enterprises to collect and use personal data. Iswaran noted that the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) is being reviewed to see how the framework can be enhanced for enterprises to collect and use personal data.

According to Iswaran, the regime wants the PDPA to give organisations an increased accountability to safeguard consumer interest and trust.