Singapore to press on with large-scale applied AI push: DPM Heng

Singapore will push on with applying artificial intelligence (AI) on a large scale in key sectors, as well as launch major research and development (R&D) programmes that cut across different fields in an effort to drive economic growth that creates good jobs.

- Tay Hong Yi

Giving a preview of Singapore's plans for research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) by 2030, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said both initiatives will be among wider efforts, including major investments, to secure Singapore's future amid quickening economic and geopolitical shifts.

These changes include greater political polarisation, climate change and rapid technological advances, he said in a speech to Parliament on Feb 27 to kick off the second day of the Budget debate.

"How can we ride these changes to create a better future for Singaporeans? Now, we must stay creative and find opportunities in adversity and in times of major changes to emerge stronger, just as we did during the Asian financial crisis, global financial crisis and, more recently, through Covid-19," DPM Heng said.

On applied AI, DPM Heng said the first initiative in that area entails putting the technology to use in a major way in key sectors such as healthcare, education, finance, advanced manufacturing, connectivity, logistics and transport.

A $120 million AI for Science initiative launched in October 2024 is part of this push.

DPM Heng said this initiative supports researchers in leveraging AI to accelerate discoveries in fields such as advanced materials and biomedical sciences.