Address concerns over Al's impact on jobs and livelihoods: PM Wong

Govts must help workers adjust and ensure responsible use of AI: PM

- Tham Yuen-C Senior Political Correspondent

Speaking at a working session at the G-20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Nov 23, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said governments must harness AI's longer-term potential and raise productivity across every sector of the economy. The meeting on Nov 23 focused on building a fair and just future. PHOTO: MDDI

(MDDI)

Amid all the innovation brought about by artificial intelligence (AI), a key challenge for governments worldwide is addressing concerns about jobs and livelihoods and helping workers adjust, said Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov 23.

Al is evolving rapidly, with tremendous potential to improve and transform lives, he pointed out, and the world is still in the early stages of the AI journey, one marked by great excitement and massive investment. Governments should be clear-eyed and look beyond the hype, he said, speaking at a working session with leaders of the world's biggest economies.

"Our task is to ensure the responsible use of AI and to harness Al's real and longer-term potential to build a more efficient and responsive government, and to raise productivity across every sector of the economy.

"And this has been Singapore's approach. We have been systematically harnessing AI applications within our public sector to streamline processes, to strengthen service delivery, and to free up officers to focus on higher-value work."

The Republic is also supporting businesses in harnessing AI applications, he noted.