Singapore released its Model Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Framework on Wednesday, 23 January, for public consultation, pilot adoption and feedback.
A first in Asia, the framework provides detailed and readily implementable guidance to help private sector organisations to address key ethical and governance issues when deploying AI solutions.
In a press statement, the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) stressed that the framework is a living document. It is intended to be agile, to keep up with the fast-paced changes in a digital economy and will continue to develop alongside adoptees use.
Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information, announced the release of the framework at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held in Davos from January 22 to 25, 2019.
The Model Framework is underpinned by two high-level guiding principles to help organisations ensure that:
1) Decisions made by or with the assistance of AI are explainable, transparent and fair to consumers; and
2) Their AI solutions are human-centric.
This will enhance trust in and understanding of AI, IMDA said.
“The Model Framework provides practical guidance to organisations deploying AI at scale to do so with good internal governance and in an ethical manner," said Mr. V K Rajah S C, Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Ethical Use of AI and Data. "The Advisory Council encourages businesses to pilot the Model Framework and provide feedback from their implementation experience.”
Singapore also announced a collaboration with the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) to further drive AI and data innovation. The agreement was signed by IMDA, the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office, and the World Economic Forum.
IMDA and the WEF will be engaging organisations to discuss the Model Framework in greater detail and facilitate its adoption. Work has already commenced, with closed-door discussions led by the C4IR and IMDA to seek feedback on the Model Framework.
The C4IR and IMDA are also developing a measurement matrix for the Model Framework which regulators and certification bodies globally can adopt and adapt for their use. IMDA and the C4IR will develop a discussion paper outlining policy options on the facilitation of cross-border data flows under the collaboration.
Mr Murat Sonmez, Managing Director, Head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network, said, “Singapore is focused on innovation and technology. As the country develops forward-looking technology policies, we welcome them as a partner of the Centre Network. We are looking forward to their contribution to our network for global technology governance.”