MCI's response to PQ on AI Governance

07 FEB 2024

Parliament Sitting on 6 February 2024

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

33. Ms See Jinli Jean: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information with regard to the proposed Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI, whether the Ministry will consider (i) introducing a licensing model which balances the needs of AI developers who require access to training data and the owners or right holders of such data who should be fairly compensated for the use of their works and (ii) extending consultations on the draft framework beyond technology firms to workers and consumer groups across industries.

Answer:

  1. Mr Speaker, NMP Ms See had deferred a related question on AI governance, scheduled for the sitting on or after 1 March 2024. The Honourable Member may thus wish to withdraw or amend the PQ.

  2. As outlined in the refreshed National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS 2.0), Singapore is fostering a trusted environment for AI, so that our businesses and people can develop and use AI confidently. 

  3. We have been consultative in our approaches, including when we released the 2019 Model AI Governance Framework and the open-sourcing of our testing framework and software toolkit AI Verify in 2023. We welcome all stakeholders, including consumer groups and our tripartite partners – workers and employers – to provide input to our AI governance initiatives. 

  4. Most recently:

a.    The ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics was endorsed at the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Singapore last week, following consultations with a wide range of stakeholders (including ASEAN Dialogue Partners (China, Japan and the US), Development Partners like the International Telecommunications Union, and industry players across ASEAN). 

b.    We also announced the proposed “Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI” at the World Economic Forum in January to seek views internationally. The draft Framework is currently open for public feedback until 15 March 2024. 

  1. As we have explained in past Sittings, AI is an evolving and fast-changing technology. Both its uses and users are also constantly growing and evolving. While there is broad consensus on the importance of trustworthy and responsible AI globally, governance approaches are still nascent. Singapore will continue to monitor these developments and review our governance frameworks and regulations to ensure that they remain fit-for-purpose. We will continue to be consultative in our approach, and welcome views of all stakeholders, including our tripartite partners.