Aiming high with AI

SUTD, home to some of the world's top scientists, sees artificial intelligence as assistive technology that needs humans to evolve

- Chantal Sajan

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a game changer that is growing exponentially year after year, affecting almost every facet of life.

Global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company pointed out in a March 12 report that organizations are already beginning to create the structures and processes that can unlock meaningful value from generative AI (Gen AI).

While traditional AI analyses data and makes predictions, Gen AI goes a step further. It uses data to generate new things, such as text, images or code.

In Singapore, one of the first institutes of higher learning that embedded forms of AI, such as machine learning, in its curriculum is the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), which opened in 2009.

Established as Singapore's fourth public university, it aims to advance knowledge and nurture technically grounded leaders and innovators to serve societal needs with a focus on design and technology.

Professor Khoo Peng Beng, Head of Pillar at SUTD's School of Architecture and Sustainable Design, joined the university earlier in 2025. He says AI has light and dark sides — such as job displacement and ethical uses — that need to be rigorously addressed through the university's curriculum.

While the university is inventing AI systems of the future, it is also conducting research on the philosophy and ethics of AI, called "Design AI". This is an intentional approach, as it is widely accepted that AI and human intelligence are partners in innovation.

"As newer technologies like AI evolve, we have to increasingly sharpen our ability to discern what is good, what is the truth and what is beauty," says Prof Khoo, 56.

He says that AI itself is agnostic to either good or evil applications, and is dependent on the intention of the human user.

"Of overarching importance is to keep human and AI goals aligned," he notes.