Mrs Josephine Teo,
Minister for Communications and Information,
Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity,
Business China Board Members，
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
- Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to the eighth Business China Distinguished Leaders Dialogue. This is a by-invitation event, and thank you all for being here with us this afternoon.
- The Distinguished Leaders Dialogue Series was inaugurated in January 2020, and a total of seven dialogues have been held so far. The series started with Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, followed by Minister Ong Ye Kung, Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister Gan Kim Yong, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister Grace Fu, and Minister Tan See Leng.
- Because the dialogues were held under Chatham House Rule, we have been able to discuss many issues in depths. So for today’s session, I would like to request that we keep all discussions within the four walls. This is so that our interactions can be most candid and meaningful.
- Singapore takes IT capability development seriously. We launched our first national IT plan in 1980. Since then, there have been many iterations. Ten years ago, PM Lee launched the Smart Nation initiatives.
- More recently, the launch of ChatGPT 3.0 in Nov 2022 took the world by surprise. Many of us outside the IT industry realised for the first time the power and potentials of AI technology. Perhaps, we are entering a new era. As AI-powered applications become more common, we begin to ponder its implications for individuals, businesses and societies.
- For the individuals, we ask how AI would aid in our learning, problem-solving, commuting, communicating, work and play.
- For businesses, we wonder how AI can increase our sales, provide better customer service, and raise productivity without raising headcounts.
- For societies, we ask questions about data privacy-protection, job creation or elimination, workforce retraining, and mass digital literacy.
- Unfortunately, there are also the dark sides of AI if used unethically. Fake news, misinformation, online scams are examples. They become ever more realistic, tricking even the most discerning with AI. As we rely more on AI’s advice for decision-making, will we come to the day where we delegate decision-making fully to a machine? Think about it in autonomous driving, drone-flying, micro-surgery, missile-defence system.
- To help us navigate this complex but compelling picture of a new era, I am very glad that we have Minister Josephine Teo with us.
- In the past months, Minister has spoken both locally and at international forums, on topics related to AI applications, capability development, potential regulatory regimes and international cooperation.
- Closer to home, Minister has spared no efforts in advancing Singapore’s vision for an inclusive and secure digital society. She has been leading discussions to enhance businesses’ cybersecurity frameworks, reduce the exposure of the youth to harmful online content, and ensure that Singapore’s seniors can confidently navigate our increasingly digitalised world.
- Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, please join me to warmly welcome Minister Josephine Teo to address us.