ETHOS Issue 27
December 2024
Last updated 30 July 2026
ETHOS Issue 27, December 2024
Artificial intelligence tools are become ever more pervasive and capable, with an impact that is quickly being felt across all sectors of society. This edition of ETHOS examines how the Public Service is readying itself to thrive, and to help Singapore succeed, in the age of AI, and considers what else can be done to fully harness its potential for the public good, while mitigating its excesses. The full line-up will feature contributions from colleagues across the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Department of Statistics, as well as external experts from Accenture, Harvard and the Tony Blair Institute.
Foreword
by Josephine Teo
Almost a year has passed since we launched our refreshed National AI Strategy (NAIS 2.0).
Editorial
by Alvin Pang
Slowly, and then all at once, artificial intelligence (AI) has been approaching the centre of global public life. While the field of AI is decades old, it has only just recently captured the public (and business) imagination, due mainly to the dazzling rise of ChatGPT, with its uncanny ability to generate human-like responses to a wide variety of queries.
AI in the Public Service: Here for Good
by Joseph Leong
The AI revolution is an opportunity — and responsibility — for the Public Service to harness technological progress in pursuit of a better Singapore.
AI, Technology & Singapore: Preparing for the Future
by Liana Tang
Given economic, societal andvgeopolitical trends, the rise of AI may have complex aftershocks that could challenge prevailing policy positions and assumptions.
Putting Our Feet to the Fire: The Challenge of Nurturing an AI-Ready Culture in the Public Service
by He Ruimin & Andrea Phua
Two leaders of Singapore’s AI push want public officers to be talking, tinkering and trying more to make things better using the new digital opportunities now available.
How Generative AI Can Open New Frontiers in Public Service Delivery and What’s Needed to Get There
by Ng Wee Wei
To realise the promise of this bold new technology, public agencies must reimagine their workflows and reinvigorate their people.
Generating Momentum for AI Adoption in the Public Service
by Weng Wanyi
The Public Service wants to kickstart a virtuous cycle of adoption and innovation to transform its work and power the nation’s AI push.
Powering Up AI Research in Singapore
by Bernice Khoo and Marvin Lee
Singapore’s AI research builds on early successes and a thriving community to grow an ecosystem tackling some of the most challenging questions facing us today.
Solving Real-World Problems in the Public Service with AI
by Chang Sau Sheong
Working with public agencies, GovTech teams are building a new generation of apps that are already transforming the way we work, deliver services and engage citizens.
Supercharging Statistics with AI
by Malcolm Cai, Jun Wen Tay and Nicholas Chin
The Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) is pairing (generative) artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies with analytical rigour to boost its data products and statistical services.
Governing AI: Singapore's Dynamic Approach
by Lee Wan Sie and Nur Syahidah Sahrom
As AI continues to advance quickly, it may bring about complex and rapidly evolving concerns, which we can address through active vigilance, agile approaches, and strong partnerships within Singapore and around the world.
AI: Cybersecurity Friend or Foe?
by Justiin Ang and Yik Jiawei
The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information's Security and Resilience Division (SRD) explain the security risks of this promising new technology, and what is being done to mitigate them.
LLMs In The Public Sector: Minding What's Missing
by Finale Doshi-Velez and Elena L. Glassman
Leading researchers argue that users must be able to evaluate and tune AI outputs for their specific needs while using the technology, in order to mitigate some of its key limitations.
Strategising AI at the National Level
by Kenddrick Chan and PeiChin Tay
Effective national approaches to AI governance account for the technology’s multifaceted and dynamic nature. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change outlines key dimensions and emerging best practices.
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