AI masters Singlish in breakthrough healthtech project

Large language model deployed in clinics, helps 995 call responders transcribe calls

- Osmond Chia

Singlish has long been a hurdle for artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistants, given the many accents and languages used in Singapore.

But one healthtech project, named AI Singapore Speech Lab, has made strides in teaching AI models Singapore's spin on English.

Its Singlish-savvy large language model has been deployed in clinics and is being tested with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to help 995 call responders to transcribe calls and prompt call-takers to ask vital questions during emergencies.

In a recent breakthrough, the project's AI models can dynamically transcribe multiple local languages, including English, Malay and Mandarin, said Professor Chng Eng Siong, an expert in computing and data science at Nanyang Technological University.

The project was presented at the AI in Healthcare Technology Showcase by national programme AI Singapore at the National University of Singapore on Nov 13, alongside 15 other tech projects, including chatbots and digital assistants designed to enhance efficiency in the healthcare sector.

In Singlish, it is common to mix several languages and slang from local dialects. This blending makes the patois unpredictable for AI models to interpret.