Singapore, US deepen ties with new AI talent scheme, better cooperation

The new collaborations build on ongoing work in other bilateral platforms.

Singapore and the United States launched a new AI Talent Bridge programme focusing on tech and AI opportunities for women during a roundtable on Wednesday, led by the city-state’s Ministry for Communications and Information (MCI) and the US Department of Commerce (DOC).

The new programme expands on the Women in Tech Partnership programme rolled out in 2022, seeking to strengthen the collaboration between the two on emerging technology such as AI, while emphasising support for youth, women and future leaders in tech.

Singapore’s MCI and the US DOC said they will continue cooperating to advance AI with inclusive and forward-looking agendas to boost economic growth and AI competitiveness for both countries.

“We believe that the rise of AI, including generative AI, brings with it new and developing opportunities, including the ability to enhance economic and social welfare and digital inclusion, to accelerate and advance socially beneficial research and scientific discovery, to support more competitive and environmentally sustainable economic growth, and to promote fair and competitive markets,” Singapore's Ministry of Communications and Information and the US Department of Commerce said in a statement.

Both Singapore and the US recognise the challenges that come with the rapid, global proliferation of AI.

To that end, both states saw to the development of new frameworks, such as the AI Risk Management Framework by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); as well as AI Verify by the Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). 

Singapore’s Digital Trust Centre is also set to collaborate with the US AI Safety Institute of NIST to advance the science of AI safety.