16-1-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore has taken a significant step in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) by proposing a groundbreaking governance framework specifically tailored for generative AI. The Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI (MGF-GenAI) builds upon its predecessor from 2019, which primarily covered traditional AI. This announcement comes at a crucial juncture in the evolution of generative AI technology.
Crafted collaboratively by the AI Verify Foundation and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the framework marks Singapore’s contribution to the global dialogue on AI governance. Josephine Teo, the Minister for Communications and Information, shared this groundbreaking development on January 16 while attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Mrs Teo emphasized that effective AI governance transcends national boundaries, asserting, “Our contribution to the global conversation is partly why we have chosen the World Economic Forum to be the launch pad for the updated framework and to seek international inputs.”
The MGF-GenAI is anticipated to be finalized by mid-2024. Mrs Teo highlighted its comprehensiveness, identifying nine key dimensions of AI governance, including accountability, security, testing, and assurance. This initiative aligns with Singapore’s commitment to responsible AI, parallel to the National AI Strategy 2.0 launched in December 2023.
Generative AI, exemplified by popular tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, differs from traditional AI, which focuses on predictive capabilities related to fraud, diseases, and employee behavior.
Singapore’s proactive approach to AI governance, demonstrated through tools like AI Verify, has earned the country international acclaim for its pragmatism and forward-thinking. AI Verify, a toolkit initiated by IMDA in 2023, boasts membership from industry giants such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Salesforce.
Addressing the collaborative evolution of governance frameworks, Mrs Teo drew parallels with the 2019 version. Different sectors built upon the original framework to create sector-specific adaptations. The MGF-GenAI is poised to follow a similar trajectory as different industries adopt generative AI for diverse applications.
Mrs Teo shared insights into Singapore’s strategy for global awareness, citing active participation in global AI conversations, including collaborations with the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence. Notably, Singapore and the United States are working towards aligning their respective AI frameworks, with discussions underway to establish international standards.
Mrs Teo emphasized the pragmatic balance Singapore seeks in AI regulation – nurturing innovation without stifling it. The proposed MGF-GenAI aims to foster international conversations and consensus, ensuring a trusted global environment for the development and application of generative AI.
