2026 Outlook

What's next for tech - and the top stories of 2025

- Lee Li Ying Correspondent and Sarah Koh

More advanced autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) systems and a new agency to provide quicker redress for victims of online harms are some of the key developments in 2025 that will take shape in 2026.

Investors and businesses were bullish about the potential of AI in transforming work processes. But the potential harms enabled by Al have also spooked the sector, leading to the tightening of rules.

The Straits Times looks at what is to come in 2026, and key developments in 2025.

ONLINE SAFETY COMMISSION

A new one-stop government agency will be set up by June 2026 to facilitate the swift takedown of harmful content.

The Online Safety Commission (OSC) will initially focus on helping victims of online harassment, doxing, online stalking, intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse.

It will progressively deal with online impersonation, AI deepfake abuse, online instigation of disproportionate harm, incitement of violence and enmity, non-consensual disclosure of private information, as well as the publication of false material or reputationally harmful statements.

Deepfake abuse has become easier to create due to the prevalence of generative AI tools. A survey by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) in 2025 found that only one in four people here was able to distinguish between deepfake and legitimate content, which experts said is eroding digital trust.

The OSC, which drew lessons from Australia's eSafety Commissioner that was set up in 2015, will issue directions to platforms, administrators of groups or pages, content communicators, internet service providers or app stores to take down harmful content, restrict the perpetrator's online account, or allow the victim to post a reply.

COUNTERING DEEPFAKE